This is a fabulous and exhaustive guide for families caring for people with Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory loss. It's been around and continually updated for the last 25 years and is couched in compassionate and clear language.

The book goes through all the stages of these tragic, often irreversible conditions, and how to deal with them in various ways, how to discuss and approach them, what (few) medications and (more) therapies are out there, the history and research behind the conditions and treatments, what support systems exist and how/when to use them, what to think about in terms of cost, nursing care, insurance, personal care, household adjustments, and so on. There's even a chapter for kids to read.

I found it a little weirdly structured - for e.g., the definitions and causes of various dementias are in the back of the book, rather than in the beginning. But maybe they wanted to get to the helping parts quickly as many families know the medical and research stuff already. All in all, great book and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in or affected by these disorders.

I have not read this cover-to-cover, nor should you. This is a fantastic reference book for those of us with loved ones with dementia. I have read several chapters and sections, and will continue to read it as needed when trying to understand what's happening in my loved one's life as well as how to best communicate with her.

I am not giving this five stars because of the format. The font is small, and it could be more user friendly, especially as often older adults would be reading this. The information, however, is great.

Depressing, but useful

This was a difficult book to read from an emotional standpoint; much of it made me think of my father's ordeal with Primary CNS Lymphoma and a little bit of when my grandmother dealt with Alzheimer's though I was a bit more removed from that case. It can also be a little overwhelming to read about the possibilities of what might be coming in the future. However, it was far easier to read than I thought it would be, not dry at all and very reaffirming and caring toward the person reading it. I thought the research part at the end was very interesting although I was reading the 5th edition from 2011; I thought I had purchased the most recent but apparently I had not. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a loved one dealing with any sort of disease that causes dementia, or memory loss. It has helped me become (and still working on it) more understanding.

Though I make no claim to having surveyed books on caring for those with dementia, etc., The 36-Hour Day strikes me as one of the most complete guidebooks one could want. From definitions, information on stages, how one relates to those stages, references to support groups, a guide to evaluating care facilities, particular problems that might arise, caregiver stress signs, financial concerns, research on dementia. It's all there. Every person in the position of providing care for someone with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia should have a copy handy.

On more than one occasion I have called this book literary broccoli. It contains valuable information and advice, but it became a constant reminder of my mother's dementia. And like most unpleasant topics, I don't always feel like addressing it.

My parents' financial adviser gave me this book. He has likely gone through several cases, giving copies to the loved ones of his clients. I'm glad he gave me this copy, and that I read (most of) it. I don't really have anything bad to say about the content, which is very valuable. I'm sure I will refer to it in the years to come. But I hope that nobody I care about has any reason to read his or her own copy.

I picked up this book because it was recommended by the doctor who is helping keep up with the progress of my husband's grandfather's disease. He recommended that all family members read it, but much of the family was avoiding it, claiming it was horrible and too depressing. So I offered to read it and pass on the information that I found useful.

It was an extremely interesting book, though very, very repetitive in its mantra - there is no way that any human being will be able to take care of a loved one who has this disease alone - not without lots of help and support from friends and family, breaks/respite care so the caregiver can have some alone time... or else a complete loss of sanity and possibly harm to themselves and their ill loved one. So many stories in this book focused on people who tried to take care of their loved ones at home but ended up going crazy and having to put them in a home, and feeling horrible about it.

The moral of the story is, if you can't do it alone, don't try. It's not such a bad thing to put them into a home (as long as you've done your research in choosing homes and make sure to visit often!) and often improves their quality of life and everyone's health. If you really do want to care for your loved one at home, it will take a lot of patience (you know, if they want to keep the silverware in their sock drawer... it's not hurting anyone, you might as well let them to avoid a tantrum), a lot of help from friends and family to be sure you get the time you need away from the situation, a lot of rearranging of the home and making the house safe for someone with memory loss and probably loss of coordination as well. Even if they don't remember the happy times shortly after they happen (claim you never visit them at the home, claim you never let them do anything anymore, don't remember that the grand kids just visited or that you just played a game with them...) it is actually shown that although they don't remember why, the happy feelings tend to stay and it improves their behavior and attitude for the rest of the day.

It's a horrible disease, and I cried at some of the stories in the book from real people who have gone through this with a family member. I was horrified by the possible changes that are to come for my grandfather-in-law. It's a sad, sad thing. But this book is useful - points out places you can go for help, things to watch out for, things to make sure the doctor looks into and doesn't just write off as "getting older" or doesn't take care of because they have Alzheimer's disease and won't realize what is going on anyway, ways to improve their quality of life, and a whole chapter on the current research that is happening to help find a cure. I highly recommend it (probably in small doses) for anyone who has a family member suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

I can't say I enjoyed reading this book. I don't think it's possible to be at the point where you need to read this book, and enjoy any part of it. But it is a comfort. I felt better prepared to care for my grandfather, and better equipped to deal with my family as they grieve, and that's worth everything.

Granted, this is not a book one reads in order to like it or find it amazing. However, I highly recommend this book to anyone with a family member or even a friend who shows sighs of or has been diagnosed with dementia. This book is essential if you are a caregiver or expect to be a caregiver. But it is also helpful for the "supporting" family and friends. It helps you understand what is going on in the mind of the person with dementia. You can read the book straight through or skip around to the chapters and sections that are most relevant. I wish I had known about this book a year or more ago as we navigated our way through our mother's dementia. I will be recommending this resource to anyone I encounter who is dealing with a loved one in this condition. Note: it is repetitive at times but this is because the authors have designed it so one can skip to specific sections, thus the repetition is not a negative in this case.

Realizing I couldn’t continue much longer with my current situation, I decided there had to be a better way. I actually saw this book recommended on a FB group for dementia/Alzheimer’s caregivers. i checked it out from the library not really expecting a whole lot. Never have I been so happy to be so wrong. From its first pages, I knew this is exactly what I needed. It is so comprehensive, but not overly clinical or scientific. It was very easy to understand. and did I say comprehensive? Just wow! Literally every issue I have been dealing with, and many I have not yet encountered, are discussed thoroughly and compassionately. I would highly recommend this book for anyone that may even suspect their loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia. Since I had to return this one to the library, I have ordered both a hard copy and audio version for my own library. I have a feeling I will be referring to this one a lot in the coming days.

A useful and well put together guide about the complex world of Alzheimer dementia and how to care for people who are suffering from it.

An essential read and resource for family members and care givers of those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
My copy is already dog-eared and has been a valuable resource to understand what is happening to my mother, who has progressed to Middle Stage Alzheimer's. It has also become a guide to know how to help my father who has been her primary care giver and champion.