I'm Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer's Care

When my mother had Alzheimer's this was my go to book. Since then I have purchased it for many others and they have in turn purchased it for others.I also facilitate an Alz. group and highly recommend it to the participants.

While "The 36-Hour Day" remains the most comprehensive self-help for dementia/Altzheimer's caregivers, this book takes a different approach. It explains that some things are hard-wired in the brain and tells how to access that for the benefit of the patient. It explains a concept and tells you how to use the information to help the one being cared for. One example is the use of templates. It says that there are around 50 steps in the process of getting dressed and while the patient may be able to do each step, putting it all together becomes overwhelming. Setting the table is another such problem and the use of a template such as a place mat showing the location of the plate, knife, fork, etc. allows the person to match the utensils to the drawing. It is a very compassionate approach and has helped me sort out some personal feelings by giving me insight into the way the brain of the patient works. I haven't absorbed all that is contained in the book yet and I hope to learn more about the process and apply it to the care of my husband.

WHY people(not all) have to view people with dementia as "no one is home" is REALLY sad! This book is so INCREDIBLE!!! I know a LOT about dementia, alzheimers, vascular dementia, sundowning, etc. and there is a lot to learn and understand. This book gives people insight to keep communicating & knowing HOW to communicate with a person with dementia or similar disease.I learned from a neurologist that Ronald Reagan had alzheimers the whole time he served as the President of the United States. How did HE communicate and run our country? With a lot of help and perserverence, that's how!It's not impossible to live ones life if you have alzheimers and your loved ones DO KNOW who you are(even if they may call you the wrong name or say that you're their brother instead of son). There are ways to help people with dementia remember and also ways to help new brain cells grow........these are done through EMOTIONS & these have been researched and this is taught in this book.This takes understanding and work to help a loved one with dementia, but, aren't they worth it?!!! The glass is always 1/2 full with me and I will never give up!!!

This book does a great job of helping a family member or caregiver what is going on with a loved one who has Alzheimer's. It goes into great detail on what is happening in their brains.I really liked that it takes a holistic approach to the treatment of a person with Alzheimer's. A great emphasis is placed on treating the patient with dignity and respect.There are many ideas of ways to communicate with loved one with AD. Wonderful ideas on activities that keeps them engaged in life instead of abandoning them to the intimidating world in which they live.I have read many books and tried many concepts to help my loved one. I've tried some of the ideas in the book and they work marvelously.My loved one is on only two medications...one for thyroid and one for blood pressure. I hope that with the help of this book and patience, I can be a better caregiver to my loved one.

I'm still working through this book, and may change the rating to five stars when I finish. As one just beginning to experience the early symptoms of this condition, I have found much to encourage me here. By describing exactly what goes on in our brains and explaining that nothing once stored there is ever totally lost, Mr. Zeisel shows us what we can expect and why. Much more importantly, this is aimed at those who will care for Alzheimer patients, explaining clearly just what is happening at each stage, giving guidance on how to lead their patients to remember and enjoy past events and happy memories. I may or may not put my wife of 53+ years through this torment, but if I do, she will handle it much better now that she has this book to guide her.

I purchased the book as a gift and so never had the opportunity to review the work myself, but would like to speak tothe confusion encountered when placing the order. The book I requested was listed as "I'm Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer's Care", but when I got to checkout the title was represented as "I'm Still Here: Creating a Better Life for a Loved One Living with Alzheimer's", both authored by John Zeisel. I chose to assume it was a newer edition of the same bookand continued with my purchase, since I had heard John speak of his work in the past and found his presentationworth passing on to others dealing with an Alzheimer situation.

This is a great book to read for any caregiver. It offers hope despite a terminal prognosis with AD. John Zeisel has a great approach to Alzheimer's treatment and care for those people living with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It really is a wonderful book to read, if you open your heart and see beyond the limitations you will be able to continue communication and contact with someone no matter what stage they are in. The info on the MOA, is great information and so many cities with Museums are adopting the model so that those individuals living with Alzheimer's can continue to enjoy art and a trip to the museum. In Detroit, the DIA has just started this program.

This easy-to-read book highlights how memory works, and emphasizes the importance of dignity & respect when interacting with those who have Alzheimer's--in any stage. It has already had a positive effect on my relationship with my aging mother. I've been telling everyone I know about the "Hopeful Agining" PBS show and this book. I can only imagine that memory care facilities and caregivers across the entire US will rapidly embrace the specific approaches outlined in this book. THANK YOU to everyone involved in writing this book for sharing the ideas with all of us! tc

This book describes the experiences of the author, an environmental sociologist with expertise in caring for patients with dementia,particularly Alzheimer's. He describes the variability of the cognitive defects with preservation of some functions such as love of art or music. His proposal is that by working with these preserved functions by an enhanced healthcare environment that the quality of life for the patient could be enhanced. The benefits accrue to both the patient and the care giver. Such an approach would certainly enhance dignity. The book provides many suggestions as to how this can be accomplished. As to whether this will alter the course of the disease has not as yet been subjected rigorous proof and standard therapy is recommended by the author. The book would be helpful for care givers feeling a sense of loss and frustration.

bought it - read it - made notes in it - made communicating with a family member w/advanced Alzheimer's possible - the memories are there but the pathways to the memories were interrupted - showing old photographs helped establish new pathways to those memories (as the book said it would) - this is a real good book

Well written with lots of good ideas.

I rated this book so high because it gave me extremely practical and useful tips on how to communicate with my mother who has dementia.

We have had seveal persons in our lives with dementia. This book tells you how to deal with these people in a very charitable way