Responding to families' questions and fears with compassion. Typically the patient-and his or her course of treatment-are the natural focal points when it comes to Alzheimer's disease (AD). But Alzheimer's is an equally debilitating illness for family members and caregivers who must come to terms with its far-reaching emotional and physical burdens. In this handbook, clinicians are taught how to navigate the many interpersonal issues at the heart of AD-that is, how to work with the families and friends of the patient. Santulli addresses everything from how to respond compassionately to their likely questions and concerns, how to clearly explain symptoms and risk factors, when to suggest consultation with a geriatric specialist, and how to sensitively discuss issues of long-term treatment and care. --- from the publisher Contents: Introduction
1. The Alzheimer’s Family
2. Memory, Loss, and Dementia: Understanding the Basics
3. Facing the Problem
4. The Long Journey
5. Maintaining a Connection
6. Safety Issues
7. Dealing with Mood and Behavioral Issues
8. Caregiver Stress
9. Long-Term Care
10. New Beginnings
Appendix A. Pharmacological Treatments
Bibliography
Suggested Reading & Resources About the Author: Robert B. Santulli, MD, is associate professor of psychiatry at the Dartmouth Medical School, and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He is also the editor of the Dartmouth Memory Clinic Handbook. | 
