Lots of good things to learn here, but I urge you to read the book, rather than listen to the audio version. It was read by the authors, with the guy taking the lead and the female reading the headings and subheads. The male reader sounded like he was reading his book report out loud to the class -- he sounded so very proud of the material, not to mention his reading of it. Despite his very best efforts to enunciate, his speech impediment caused him to swallow or slur some of the words. And to have the female interject with a three-word-or-so heading every once in a while, was downright silly.

Dreadful reading aside, and the fact that a lot of what is said is repeated throughout, the information contained in the book was very helpful for anyone caring for a loved one with dementia.

“Mom is 87 and we've gone through a lot in the last year or so. She is diagnosed with AD and is at the point where she can't live by herself anymore. We attended an all day seminar on Dementia and Alzheimer Disease and they recommended this book. It is excellent and very thorough. It explains the different forms of dementia and all the various different problems that come with it. It covers research and suspected causes along with other medical problems. For me, the best part was when it dealt with help for the caregivers of AD patients regarding independence, daily care, behavior difficulties, moods, getting outside help, family conflicts and changes in roles, caring for yourself and all the different emotions that come with it, financial and legal issues, etc. I started a blog on "Aging Parents" www.wat2dowitmom.blogspot.com and I highly recommend this book if you have a loved one that has been "slipping" mentally. ”

I didn't finish this, but I read as much as I need now. As my mom's dementia increases, I will likely come back to this well written, useful book.

This is the seventh edition of The 36 Hour Day and it is filled with valuable information for those who find themselves in a caretaker role for someone with dementia. Unfortunately I am in this position now as my dad has Alzheimer’s. The book covers the different types of dementia, getting the right diagnosis, common behaviors of the dementia patient, finding help whether it be in your home or in a memory care facility. There are also chapters on how to care for the caretaker, insurance issues, financial and legal information in caring for a dementia patient and new research and advances. I found the information was presented in a clear and practical manner and there are personal stories of others who have found themselves navigating this path. You may find you pick it up and read it from start to finish or you may find you only want to read certain chapters that speak to your current circumstances. It is a resource that you can draw on again and again. Read it early in the journey if you can as I believe there is a lot of helpful information and the more you know the better you will be able to plan for the care that will need to be provided.

This is the best reader I've seen for explaining diseases of the brain typically described in the same sentence with "memory loss." Separate sections deal with just about anything you can think of regarding such diseases, as well as sections telling how a caregiver can react to behavior of a dementia patient and how to ensure equanimity in the face of the caregiving tasks.

Wish I had read this years ago, but grateful to have read it now.

This is a well written very informative book. One that I might listen to again along with the hard copy to highlight and make notes in.

This resource has been the gold standard for caregivers for over 40 years; the updated information reflects the latest research, new technologies, and topics organized more easily. I found this book to include even more detailed issues of dementia and Alzheimer's, ones that a caregiver might never have considered or anticipated. The information is practical and invaluable, and the tone, respectful and affirming. This is such a difficult subject, a dreaded diagnosis, and this resource could keep a family afloat.

The most dreadful, horrifying and yet necessary book for those affected by brain disease. Tears will stain the pages. As I prepare for my husband’s premature death, I wish more had been written on early onset (<60) in individuals without risk factors, selecting a neurologist, and clinical trials. I am in planning overdrive; many chapters reinforced my own planning process including household finances, revising our trust, being engaged with his employer and doctors, visiting memory care facilities TOGETHER, finalizing our funeral service, and educating myself enough to know I need contingencies when things don’t go as planned. Don’t forget to Live with the Disease if you are early onset like us. Take trips, stay involved, try a new activity, work if you can, laugh, and make memories.

Perhaps my own experiences were too far down the line by the time I read this book, but it didn't help me nor live up to the hype.

My husband has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. It has been frustrating, agonizing, terrifying and, most definitely, a learning experience. I was loaned this book by my local Alzheimer’s Association and it was SO informative. It gave me such a great insight into the workings of the brain, the communication required between parts of the brain and thought patterns and paths our brains take. I realized in reading the chapters of “early signs” just how long this disease might have been invading his life and yet I have been advocating to this health care doctors for 8-10 years that something seemed off.

There were areas in this book that I skipped over (end of life care, types of care facilities, etc.) that are outside my present circle of concerns, but I know, when the time arises, where one of my resources can be found.

This book was an eye opener for me as to how my words, actions, tone or hurried nature could be perceived by those afflicted without even realizing the repercussions. While the disease has shown me that my husband is slowing in his mind, reasoning ability and physical abilities that I (as caregiver) must also learn to slow down and work at his pace. My hope is that the knowledge gained, and tips received from this book will help soften the path I find myself walking with my husband and help bring us special moments and time together.

As this was a loaner book, I am going to have to purchase my own copy so that I can highlight and write in my personal notes. Whatever the book may cost, it is money well spent. For the person suffering from dementia, time is irrelevant, and a day can feel like only a few hours. For the caregiver who is playing multiple roles, the days CAN seem like 36 (or more) hours long. The key, I’m finding, is to make those hours – no matter how few or how many – count for something. It is an opportunity to try to bring love and happiness to another individual, whether they accept it or not or whether they know who is giving it or not. Even if it is falling on deaf ears – their heart will hear and feel it.

I read this book because I find myself in the situation of being the main care giver of my mother in law who has dementia/alzheimers, and because it was recommended to me by a friend of mine who sells stuff from a local monastery at a farmers market I go to. I gave it 4 stars because I understood the vast majority of the material. The writing is not too technical, you don't need a degree in medicine. A very large part of the book is about behavior, how to deal with it, and the logistics of getting help in doing the care of the patient, and when and how to try to get some kind of place or just care when the situation becomes something you can't handle. The suggestions cover a lot, common sense is the rule of the day. Considering I got everything I wanted from the book, I probably should have given it 5 stars. There are parts that are somewhat interesting, but beyond my desire to really learn such as where it is thought the disease comes from, and what researchers are doing to find out about it. There is not much known about it. But I still understood what they were saying mostly. Use of cell names and genes and such I didn't pay much attention to, but I will never be a doctor anyway. I recommend it for anyone who is caring for a dementia patient within the family.