Clinical Management of Alzheimer's Disease.

Clinical Management of Alzheimer's Disease This book was developed from the program for patients suffering from Alzheimer's dementia by personnel at the Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center of the E N Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass. All aspects of care for the patient with Alzheimer's disease are addressed. The care giver, from both the family and health provider view, is emphasized in this book.

The topics discussed in this book are epidemiology and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, management of the outpatient with Alzheimer's disease, considerations for family care givers, economic and legal considerations, institution-based respite care, management of persons with advanced Alzheimer's dementia, oral health care, management of intercurrent illnesses in the institutionalized patient, ethical issues in the treatment of patients with advanced Alzheimer's dementia, drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and education and training of interdisciplinary team members caring for those with Alzheimer's disease. Each chapter can stand alone and has references.

The book has appendixes that provide outlines for fluoride and saliva substitutes, guidelines for management of intercurrent illnesses, a hospice care plan, and a curriculum for orientation of professional nurses to Alzheimer's dementia care giving in the long-term care facility. At the end of the book is a glossary of terms pertaining to Alzheimer's disease.

This book is oriented primarily toward care givers, especially family and nursing personnel who have most of the contact with patients with Alzheimer's disease. The practical, up-to-date information provided for care givers is excellent.

The physical therapy practitioner who works with or is contemplating working with elderly clients could use this book to become more informed about Alzheimer's disease. The discussion of ethical, legal, economic, and political issues surrounding not only Alzheimer's disease but other chronic diseases also makes this book a valuable reference for the physical therapy practitioner.