Late-Stage Dementia

Michael Gordon MD

Description

For those caring for a loved one who is experiencing the later stages of dementia, this guide explores making the “right choices” when faced with difficult health-care decisions.
“I want to provide the best care possible. The suffering has gone on for a long time, and I want to be sure the end stage is as comfortable as possible.”
This common sentiment is expressed by both health care professionals responsible for caring for frail elders experiencing the later stages of dementia and family members trying to ensure the most compassionate care for their loved ones. Health care providers and family members often struggle with painful decisions when confronting the inevitable while providing love, compassion, and care. Modern medicine may offer seemingly promising treatments, but eventually, the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia can cause profound deterioration in the patient’s quality of life. The focus must eventually shift to compassionate end-of-life care. This guidebook reflects Dr. Gordon’s extensive experience with health care professionals and families struggling with these poignant and difficult decisions.
“… families will learn much about helping patients with dementia, but so too will physicians and other caregivers. Michael Gordon’s humanity shines through every page, and, when combined with his medical expertise, the result is a guide which is both truly thoughtful and practically useful.”
—Professor Arthur Schafer, Director,
Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics,
University of Manitoba
“Dr. Gordon is truly a healer whose experience as a geriatrician provides a road map for all of us who want to provide care, respect, and love for people diagnosed with dementia.”
—Steven R. Sabat, PhD, Professor,
Department of Psychology,
Georgetown University

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Santé du quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• CPR
• Aéroport de Dinard Pleurtuit Saint-Malo
• Fitness
• Health
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• DNR
• Long-term care
• Healthy Living

Informations

• Publié par: iUniverse
• Date de parution: 16 août 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781462027668
• Langue: English

Extrait

Late-Stage Dementia

Promoting Comfort, Compassion, and Care



Michael Gordon, MD, with Natalie Baker










Late-Stage Dementia
Promoting Comfort, Compassion, and Care

Copyright © 2011 Michael Gordon, MD, with Natalie Baker

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Recommended citation: Gordon, M. with Baker, N. (2010). Late-Stage Dementia: Combining Compassion and Care: A Guide for Health Care Professionals and Families, Toronto, Ontario

The information, ideas, and suggestions in this book are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Before following any suggestions contained in this book, you should consult your personal physician. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising as a consequence of your use or application of any information or suggestions in this book.



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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-2764-4 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4620-2765-1 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4620-2766-8 (e)




iUniverse rev. date: 03/30/2023






PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED BOOKS
Old Enough to Feel Better: A Medical Guide for Seniors (1981, 1989, 2010)

An Ounce of Prevention: The Canadian Guide to a Healthy and Successful Retirement (1984)

Prévoir les Belles Années de la Retraite (1986)

The Encyclopedia of Health and Aging (with Evelyne Michaels , 2001)

Parenting Your Parents: Support Strategies for Meeting the Challenge of Aging in the Family (with Bart J. Mindszenthy, 2002, 2005)

Parenting Your Parents: Support Strategies for Meeting the Challenge of Aging in America (with Bart J. Mindszenthy, 2006)

Brooklyn Beginnings: A Geriatrician’s Odyssey (2009, 2022)

Moments that Matter: Cases in Ethical Eldercare (2010, 2022)

Late Stage Dementia: Providing Compassion, Comfort and Care (2011)



Parenting Your Parents: Straight Talk About Aging in the Family (with Bart J. Mindszenthy, 2013)
Looking through the Lens: Reflections on Medicine, Ethics, and Society (2023)



“Anyone who looks after older persons knows that end-stage dementia is no different than terminal cancer. The patient requires humane care, needs protection from the juggernaut of modern medicine, and above all deserves a medical team who will deal with symptoms first. Finally, we have a book that deals head-on with this important public health issue. In his usual clear and direct manner, Michael Gordon, a world-renowned geriatrician, and his associate Natalie Baker handle this issue with aplomb. Health care workers, family members of those suffering from dementia, and policymakers all would do very well to read this book and take in its critically important message.” (2011)
A. Mark Clarfield, MD, FRCPC
Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Israel
“Dr. Gordon’s work shines light on the special needs of individuals living in the late stage of dementia. A chief priority for all carers is to treat every individual with dementia with respect and dignity throughout the course of the disease. This book provides empathic, practical advice to help with the unique challenges that come with care in the later stages of dementia.” (2011)
Mary E. Schulz
Former Director, Information, Support Services, and Education
Alzheimer Society of Canada
“Michael Gordon has written what might be called another ‘guide for the perplexed.’ In our time, the perplexed are professional and family caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia. Herein he provides a sensitive, insightful, nuanced, and deep understanding of fundamental issues, and supports the dignity and well-being of all concerned. Dr. Gordon is truly a healer whose experience as a geriatrician provides a road map for all of us who want to provide care, respect, and love for people diagnosed with dementia.” (2011)
Steven R. Sabat, Ph.D., FGSA
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Georgetown University
“This guide provides a thoughtful narrative review of late-stage dementia with the inclusion of clinical commentary from a well-respected, expert clinician. Particularly helpful is the overview of issues around advanced care planning which is useful for clinicians, patients, and their family members.” (2011)
Sharon Straus, MD, FRCPC
Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics
Order of Canada
University of Toronto
“Essential reading for families of patients with dementia. They will find this book invaluable.” (2011)
Professor Marion E. T. McMurdo (retired)
Emeritus Professor of Aging and Health
University of Dundee
“From Dr. Gordon’s book, families will learn much about helping patients with dementia, but so too will physicians and other caregivers. Michael Gordon’s humanity shines through every page and, when combined with his medical expertise, the result is a guide which is both truly thoughtful and practically useful.” (2011)
Professor Arthur Schafer
Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics
University of Manitoba
“I would highly recommend this book to families and health professionals. Dr. Gordon deals with the difficult issues of end-of-life care in those with dementia with practical suggestions and strategies. This book is like having your own personal geriatrician assist with end-of-life dementia care.” (2011)
Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou
MD, MSc, FRCPC, FACP
Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Associate Member, Centre for Evaluation of Medicines
Professor of Medicine
McMaster University,
“Dr. Gordon has produced a valuable resource for families and friends of loved ones suffering from late-stage dementia and the health care providers who care for these patients. Filled with sage advice from decades of experience, he provides essential information to help loved ones to engage in needed discussions about preferences for care at the end of life by ‘having the conversation’ as well as to make difficult decisions about care. Included is a helpful guide for clinicians about managing the many clinical problems that inevitably arise.” (2011)
Arlene S. Bierman, MD, MS
Director of the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement (CEPI) at
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
University of Toronto
“This is an extremely well-considered guide, in which Dr. Gordon addresses the most challenging issues in late-stage dementia with intelligence, a wealth of experience, and compassion. It provides essential guidance for families and health care professionals caring for patients with end-stage dementia that is ethically based and clinically sound.” (2011)
Susan L. Mitchell, MD, MPH
Director of Palliative Care Research, Co-Director of the Interventional Studies in Aging Center,
Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
“This book should be required reading for anyone working in this field. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” (2011)
Laura Tamblyn Watts,
Founder and CEO of CanAge,
Previously served as Chief Public Policy Officer
at the Canadian Association of Retired Persons
“Dr. Gordon brings us his rich experience in medicine and ethics, clear analysis, and understanding of the real dilemmas faced by patients and their caregivers. The result is an important guide that is both instructive and warmly engaging.” (2011)
Peter R. Newman, MD
Former member of Department of Family
and Community Medicine
University of Toronto
“As always, Dr. Gordon delivers practical advice on a sensitive topic that is base on evidence and years of experience delivering quality and compassionate care. Whether you are new to this field or a seasoned clinician, this is essential reading for anyone involved in caring for people living with dementia and their families.” (2023)
Barbara Liu, MD, FRCPC
Executive Director, Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto
Division Director, Geriatric Medicine, University of Toronto
Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
“Professor Michael Gordon and his associate Natalie Baker have produced a volume that is professional, as well as personal, to guide formal and informal caregivers of people with advanced dementia. The format of insights gleaned from Professor Gordon’s decades of experience as a geriatrician providing palliative care to people with advanced dementia, alongside practical guidelines for everything from pain to constipation, makes this volume accessible and useful to all readers. This book will definitely be added to my list of dementia resources for professional and family education. “(2023)
Shelley A. Sternberg MD, FRCPC
Regional Director of Geriatrics, Maccabi Healthcare Services
Director of the Memory Clinic