Book Review: Handling Alzheimer's with Courage

Book Review: Handling Alzheimer’s with Courage By Wg Cdr DP Sabharwal

Beautifully narrates the touching story of a caregiver husband who looked after his Alzheimer’s wife for eleven years.  Initial wrong diagnosis wasting away precious two years, slow and steady progression (decline) from bad to worse, daily struggle to manage the most difficult and non-cooperating patient, sheer exhaustion leading to mental dilemmas, waning patience and constant wondering what is in store next day – all are discussed thread bare in most vivid detail.

First chapter describes eight distinguishable stages of AD. The second chapter asks “why her?” for which there is no answer.  Aspects like: absence of a cure, uncertainty of period of suffering ahead, struggles to come to terms with reality are dealt with deftly.  Subsequent chapters deal with decline to death. Part B shows what he did and how he handled various situations. Giving medicine and food, physical caring – toileting, bathing, walking and all minute details of everyday happenings are mentioned.

The last chapter gives practical tips to the caregiver on:  the need to visit doctor regularly, allowing patient to participate in conversation, not even hinting at deteriorating status, being aware that patient’s senses are alive, remembering that patient’s acts are unintentional, taking doctor’s advice seriously. What to forget and what to remember etc. Never succumb to guilt feelings and never grudge bad moments, advises this author.

A copy of the book was given to all participants of Dementia 2018 – International Symposium on Dementia and 22^nd National Conference of ARDSI recently held in Bangalore. We have heard of ‘return-gifts’ being given in parties. What a better gift can I get after spending three intensely interesting and useful days of lectures, poster sessions, quizzes, slogans, entertainment, mingling with dignitaries etc – all connected with AD? This book is a veritable Bible for Dementia caregivers. It will encourage caregivers to face hardships bravely, armed with deeper understanding of dementia, nay, AD patients in particular.

Handling Alzheimer’s with courage by Wg Cdr DP Sabhariwal, Veteran. Publisher: Aero Academy Bengaluru Second Ed 2018 Rs 150/- Pages 112.  aerosaby@gmail.com