Rating: 
Summary: A valuable resource, but by no means perfect
Review: I'm always fascinated by books that take you step by step through the obvious. Maybe it's something about the way my mind works, but when I open a new book, I tend to look for something I hadn't thought of myself.
Anyone who's dealing with the tragedy of Alzheimers for the first time, has an entirely surprising learning curve ahead of them. Your loved one reacts and deals with you in ways you can't comprehend, and the downward spiral is terribly distressing and frustrating.
So it's good that a book like this exists. Basically, it takes you inch by inch through all aspects of the effects of the disease on you and your family. Things to expect, things to prepare for, and challenges you might not have anticipated which await you in the near future.
My only gripe with this book is that I wanted a bit more out of it. It details all the little things you'll have to think about (which you might not think about, due to the stress of the situation). But if you've got common sense and an ability to deal with problems that arise in your life, you'll probably flick through this book (like I did) finding that it agrees with what you're thinking, rather than giving you much that's new and unexpected.
In other words, it tends to be a bit clinical and obvious. But that said, it may just be the perfect little book for the shelf -- ready to refer to when you need it. And when Alzheimers has touched your life in any important way, that kind of help can be incredibly valuable -- if only to remind you that you're not alone.
Rating: 
Summary: 36 is not enough
Review: I've been buying any and every book on this subject lately, both fiction and non-fiction. The first book I got was "Azlheimer's early Stages" and liked it well enough. Then I read a great novella by Jackson McCrea called "Crook" from his book "The Children's Corner." Next it was onto "Learning to Speak Alzheimer's." I'm sure I'll get around to them all, but for now, "36 Hour Day" has been the best. Highly recommended if and when you have to deal with this dreaded disease.
Rating:
Summary: Alzheimer Disease affects everyone
Review: If you have a family member, a friend or have a concern for growing, important health issues this book is indespensible in understanding this terrible disease and its impact on both the patient and the familes affected.
Rating:
Summary: The Answers I Have Been Searching For
Review: It doesn't give medical advice, it doesn't give technical advice, although it provides resources for seeking such advice. What it does give are explanations and insights into the thinking of brain impaired persons, explanations for their behaviors, and advice on how to manage and cope with being their caregiver.
These are exactly the answers I have been searching for. So many of my father's actions, reactions and behaviors are profiled in this book, and it's becoming clear that his decline had started many years ago with smaller incidents that we as his family had dismissed. The path of progression can be tracked, and even predicted. It will be helpful to know what's coming next and be prepared. But most important to me is the understanding of why. Being able to understand the why of his behavior helps me a great deal in being able to let go of the anger and to cope better with the situation that has recently escalated to horrific.
In trying to manage the situation I have started taking anti-anxiety meds, as well as antidepressants and high blood pressure med. I have done all that I can to make changes within myself, yet things have gotten progressively worse. I am beginning to understand that these changes have been part of the problem in a sense in that I have become "unpredictable" to him in not reacting the way he expects me to.
Rating:
Summary: The Answers I Have Been Searching For
Review: It doesn't give medical advice, it doesn't give technical advice, although it provides resources for seeking such advice. What it does give are explanations and insights into the thinking of brain impaired persons, explanations for their behaviors, and advice on how to manage and cope with being their caregiver.
These are exactly the answers I have been searching for. So many of my father's actions, reactions and behaviors are profiled in this book, and it's becoming clear that his decline had started many years ago with smaller incidents that we as his family had dismissed. The path of progression can be tracked, and even predicted. It will be helpful to know what's coming next and be prepared. But most important to me is the understanding of why. Being able to understand the why of his behavior helps me a great deal in being able to let go of the anger and to cope better with the situation that has recently escalated to horrific.
In trying to manage the situation I have started taking anti-anxiety meds, as well as antidepressants and high blood pressure med. I have done all that I can to make changes within myself, yet things have gotten progressively worse. I am beginning to understand that these changes have been part of the problem in a sense in that I have become "unpredictable" to him in not reacting the way he expects me to.
Rating: 
Summary: So Disappointed
Review: Just not concise enough, and too small of print. I felt I had to sift for answers. There is great general information, but given in a mechanical routine manner. I just felt a lack of real feeling.
Rating:
Summary: Lately . . .
Review: Lately I've been reading any and everything I can on memory loss, Alzheimer's, and the gray areas inbetween. Even some examples of fiction haven't escaped me. "Good Grief" comes to mind, as does Jackson McCrae's "The Children's Corner" with its two stories about Alzheimer's. But what I really want, and found, is a book that is plain spoken and tells it up front. Enter the "36 Hour Day." Trust me, if you're not caring for someone in your family who has dementia or some tangent thereof, you will--the day will come. And this is the book you'll want to have. My suggestion: Read it now, before you need it. That way you won't be scrambling around when the bad news comes. When you look up the phrase "coping skills" in the dictionary, a picuture of this book should be there. That's exactly what it is.
Rating:
Summary: A Fairly Clinical Approach to Alzheimer's Caregiving
Review: More than 3 million Americans are currently over 80 years old, and their numbers are expected to double by 2025. As the number of very old expands, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia will increase proportionately. Already at least 1 in 4 Americans cares for an elderly relative; in just a few years, a greater proportion will assume the mantle of caregiver to a dementia patient.I do not find this thought comfortable, nor did I find The 36-Hour Day comfortable reading. As the caregiver of an elderly person with Alzheimer's, I found this volume helpful with specific problems that often accompany Alzheimer's disease but much in need of updating in other areas, such as caring for the caregiver. Going to a counselor or buying a new dress may have been reasonable options in 1999. For many caregivers in 2004, they are too expensive to be considered. Recommended primarily as an overview of what to expect with specific dementia-related problems.
Rating:
Summary: A Fairly Clinical Approach to Alzheimer's Caregiving
Review: More than 3 million Americans are currently over 80 years old, and their numbers are expected to double by 2025. As the number of very old expands, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia will increase proportionately. Already at least 1 in 4 Americans cares for an elderly relative; in just a few years, a greater proportion will assume the mantle of caregiver to a dementia patient. I do not find this thought comfortable, nor did I find The 36-Hour Day comfortable reading. As the caregiver of an elderly person with Alzheimer's, I found this volume helpful with specific problems that often accompany Alzheimer's disease but much in need of updating in other areas, such as caring for the caregiver. Going to a counselor or buying a new dress may have been reasonable options in 1999. For many caregivers in 2004, they are too expensive to be considered. Recommended primarily as an overview of what to expect with specific dementia-related problems.
Rating:
Summary: "What a Wonderful Book"
Review: My Mom has alzeheimers, I didn't think anyone was going through what I was until I read this book, It made me feel like I wasnt alone in this... Alzeheimers is a horrible disease, taking care of someone who has it rips your heart out... This book will help you deal with the everday's of taking care of someone... I recommend it to anyone who is going through this...
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