Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Carpal Tunnel Helpbook or Moms Ok She Just Forgets

Carpal Tunnel Helpbook: Self Healing Alternatives for Carpal Tunnel and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries

Author: Scott M Fried

There are more than 500,000 carpal tunnel surgeries done annually in the United States but approximately 30 percent of these patients will be no better as a result. The truth is, most physicians are too quick to consider surgery as the first line of defense against carpal tunnel and other repetitive-strain injuries. In this comprehensive guide to recognizing and treating these debilitating conditions, Dr. Scott Fried takes a strong position against surgery and offers self-healing alternatives that have better results. From understanding the signs and symptoms at an early stage to modifying work and lifestyle; from proven alternative therapies and helpful medications to nutrition and exercise, The Carpal Tunnel Helpbook provides authoritative advice and practical, up-to-date information to spare many patients the ordeal of surgery to treat their injuries.

CIO Canada

Fried... lays out your options... methods that oftentimes prove more successful than surgery.



Interesting textbook: Efficaci pubbliche relazioni

Mom's Ok, She Just Forgets: The Alzheimer's Journey from Denial to Acceptance

Author: Evelyn McLay

Foreword by Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

  • "Mom's OK, she just forgets."
  • "Dad only drives to the grocery store."
  • "A support group? I don't need one."
  • "My husband is not ready for day care."
  • "Nursing home placement? Never!"

    These and similar expressions of denial are often heard in families struggling with the difficult challenges of Alzheimer's or dementia in a loved one. Denial may seem to be an acceptable coping mechanism when faced with a disease that has no cure. But in fact the failure to accept reality can work against the welfare of the person suffering from a disease that causes dementia, making a bad situation worse for the whole family.

    In this reassuring and very helpful handbook for families, experienced caregivers Evelyn D. McLay and Ellen P. Young suggest various behaviors, tools, and techniques for moving beyond denial. Real people who have faced the many problems brought about by Alzheimer's speak out, with hope, from these pages. They share their journeys from denial to loving action and an improved attitude that helps them deal with their personal plights.

    Separate chapters address the issues of caregiver burnout, developing communication skills, challenging behaviors that "push your buttons," when to remove driving privileges, day care for the elderly, deciding on long-term care, and the need for acceptance.

    Without minimizing the daunting challenges of Alzheimer's and dementia, the authors stress the importance of remaining positive and appreciating the moment while acting in the best interests of loved ones.

    What People Are Saying

    Mary Faith Ferretto
    "This book is a beautifully and sensitively written guide to caregivers who are coping with the painful journey of a loved one's dementia. Ms. McLay and Ms. Young document the emotional twists and turns of a difficult job, and take the reader by the hand at every turn. The authors touch upon the many scenarios that families experience, from total denial to total acceptance and teamwork. Every family will find its own unique experience in this book along with tips for coping. The reader is not alone -- this book is the next best thing to a caregiver support group. These ladies have walked the walk with their respective loved ones, and can talk the talk. They have experienced the trials and learned how to survive with excellent coping skills and a sense of humor.

    "I highly recommend this book to anyone facing the challenges of a loved one's dementia!"
    LCSW-C, C-ASWCM Geriatric Care Manager and Director, Keswick At Home, geriatric care management program.




    Table of Contents:

    Contents

    Acknowledgments................................................................................................13
    Forewords......................................................................................................15
    Introduction...................................................................................................19
    Chapter One "We Peel the Onion" Layers of Denial...............................................................25
    What Is Denial?................................................................................................25
    Denial as a Response to AD.....................................................................................26
    Denial Entraps Us..............................................................................................27
    Alzheimer's: "The Hidden Disease"..............................................................................28
    The Refrain of Denial Rings as a Loud Lament...................................................................29
    Out of Denial and into Anger...................................................................................31
    Chapter Two "We Define the Monster" Alzheimer's Disease........................................................35
    Defining Dementia; Defining Alzheimer's........................................................................37
    Reversible Causes of Dementia..................................................................................37
    Irreversible Causes of Dementia................................................................................38
    The FourAs....................................................................................................39
    The Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease.......................................................................40
    Examples of Dementia Symptoms Caused by Reversible Conditions..................................................42
    Getting a Diagnosis............................................................................................45
    Denial Steps into the Picture..................................................................................46
    Answering the Denial Arguments.................................................................................47
    To Tell or Not to Tell?........................................................................................51
    Chapter Three "Mom's OK, She Just Forgets" Denial and the Family Unit..........................................53
    The "Family" and Dementia......................................................................................53
    Scenario One: A Success Story..................................................................................55
    Scenario Two: A Universal Story................................................................................56
    Scenario Three: Early-onset AD.................................................................................58
    Scenario Four: Mom and Dad in Denial...........................................................................59
    The Importance of Planning.....................................................................................64
    Chapter Four "I Can't Take Care of You unless I Take Care of Myself" Caring for the Caregiver-Part I................................................................................67
    Getting Professional Help......................................................................................67
    The Family Network: Positive Support (or the Lack Thereof).....................................................68
    Friends and Neighbors..........................................................................................74
    Tips for Fostering Good Relations with Your Friends............................................................75
    Gain Knowledge to Understand the Disease.......................................................................75
    Amnesia........................................................................................................76
    Aphasia........................................................................................................76
    Agnosia........................................................................................................76
    Apraxia........................................................................................................77
    Support Groups.................................................................................................77
    The Support Group and Role Reversal............................................................................78
    The Support Group and Role Addition............................................................................79
    Respite Opportunities..........................................................................................79
    Chapter Five "Honey, Please Hand Me the Broom" Developing Communication Skills.................................85
    Realization of Language Loss Can Be Shocking...................................................................85
    A Coin with Two Sides..........................................................................................87
    Passive Participation..........................................................................................88
    Responding to the Non Sequitur.................................................................................89
    The Other Side of the Coin.....................................................................................90
    Tips for Improving Communications..............................................................................91
    Understanding Anger............................................................................................92
    Another Cause of Angry Behavior................................................................................93
    Unresolved Anger...............................................................................................94
    Chapter Six "She's Just Pushing My Buttons" Challenging Behaviors..............................................97
    Inconsistent Behaviors.........................................................................................97
    The Need for One-step Directions...............................................................................98
    Processing Auditory Stimuli....................................................................................99
    Denial Prevents Understanding..................................................................................100
    A Powerful Prescription for Sane Caregiving: Patience, Perspective, Humor......................................101
    Does It Really Matter?.........................................................................................102
    Never Argue....................................................................................................104
    Rearranging Reality............................................................................................106
    Never Say No...................................................................................................108
    Introduce Humor................................................................................................110
    Chapter Seven "Dad's a Danger to Himself and Others" The Driving Dilemma.......................................111
    The Love Affair with Our Car...................................................................................111
    The Familiar Voice of Denial...................................................................................112
    A Careful Look at Reality......................................................................................113
    Unsafe Behaviors Consistent with Dementia......................................................................114
    Possible Consequences of Unsafe Driving........................................................................114
    A Family Gathering to Agree on Specific Actions................................................................115
    How to Implement the Action Plan...............................................................................116
    Gradual Weaning-Plant the Idea Early...........................................................................116
    Assessing Driving Ability......................................................................................117
    It Is Time to Stop-What Do We Do Now?..........................................................................118
    Remove the Car and License.....................................................................................119
    Disable the Car................................................................................................119
    Ask the Doctor for Help........................................................................................120
    The State Motor Vehicle Administration.........................................................................120
    About Those Car Keys!..........................................................................................120
    A Brief Review.................................................................................................121
    Chapter Eight "The Lifesaver for Both Caregiver and Loved One" The Daycare Decision............................123
    The Positive Value of Daycare..................................................................................123
    Answering the Denial Excuses...................................................................................124
    How to Move Out of Denial and into Action......................................................................126
    What to Look for in an Adult Daycare Facility..................................................................130
    Physical Appearance............................................................................................130
    Staff..........................................................................................................130
    Activity Program...............................................................................................131
    Nutrition......................................................................................................131
    Transportation.................................................................................................131
    Cost...........................................................................................................131
    Hours..........................................................................................................131
    Clientele......................................................................................................132
    Additional Services............................................................................................132
    Daycare Keeps Nancy at Home....................................................................................133
    Chapter Nine "We Examine Our Attitude toward Alzheimer's" Caring for the Caregiver-Part II.....................135
    Ways to Deal with the Changes Alzheimer's Brings...............................................................135
    The Three Do's.................................................................................................136
    Alleviating the Holiday Blues..................................................................................137
    Commercials Depicting the Ideal................................................................................137
    Additional Tasks...............................................................................................138
    Memories of Holidays Past......................................................................................138
    Changes in Routines............................................................................................138
    Visitors.......................................................................................................138
    Gifts..........................................................................................................139
    Christmas Cooking..............................................................................................139
    Decorations....................................................................................................139
    Cards..........................................................................................................139
    Visits.........................................................................................................139
    Holiday Dinner.................................................................................................140
    Changing the Fourth of July Celebration........................................................................141
    Attitude Adjustment............................................................................................142
    Taking Care of the Caregiver...................................................................................144
    Chapter Ten "I Only Promised because She Made Me" The Long-term Care Decision..................................147
    Is It Time?....................................................................................................149
    Multiple and Diverse Residential Healthcare Settings...........................................................154
    Board and Care/Adult Boarding Homes/Adult Foster Homes or Group Homes..........................................154
    Assisted Living Facilities.....................................................................................154
    Continuing Care Communities/Retirement Communities/Life Care Facilities........................................156
    Long-term Care Facilities/ Nursing Homes/Skilled Nursing Facilities/Healthcare Centers.........................158
    Questions to Ask When Visiting a Nursing Facility..............................................................160
    Importance of Advance Planning.................................................................................163
    Twenty-four-hour Professional Care at Home.....................................................................164
    Hospital Care..................................................................................................165
    Positive Aspects of Assisted Living or Nursing Center Placement................................................167
    Chapter Eleven "We Reach Acceptance" With Love, Tears, and Humor...............................................169
    Two Different Kinds of Acceptance..............................................................................170
    Ingredients of Healthy Acceptance..............................................................................170
    Our Loved Ones Work through Their Acceptance...................................................................172
    Accessing Mirth................................................................................................173
    Gradual Development of Healthy Acceptance......................................................................174
    Appendix.......................................................................................................175
    Suggested Reading..............................................................................................181
  • No comments:

    Post a Comment