Book cover of The Problem of Alzheimer's: How Science, Culture, and Politics Turned a Rare Disease Into a Crisis and What We Can Do about It

Book description

A definitive and compelling book on one of today's most prevalent illnesses.

In 2020, an estimated 5.8 million Americans had Alzheimer’s, and more than half a million died because of the disease and its devastating complications. 16 million caregivers are responsible for paying as much as half of the $226…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Problem of Alzheimer's as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

First, this book provides a wonderful history of the important discoveries of the different aspects of the disease. You also learn the stories behind many aspects of the disease that are now taken for granted—even with our 25+ years of treating people with this disease and conducting research to understand it better, we learned a lot. Dr. Karlawish also explains why research into dementia languished for more than 50 years. Finally, he raises many thought-provoking ethical issues that people with dementia, doctors, and society will need to wrestle with if we are going to solve “The Problem of Alzheimer’s…

From Andrew's list on The best books to understand dementia.

This fascinating and highly engaging history of Alzheimer’s dementia offers insights into the origins of the so-called “Alzheimer’s disease movement,” and the political and social influences on how post-modern societies deal with the cognitive, emotional, and motivational challenges experienced by people given that diagnosis. It concludes with insights about why the millions of dollars spent on searching for a “cure” have produced so little and it suggests other approaches that can contribute to the well-being of people living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. 

If you love The Problem of Alzheimer's...

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December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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In late April 1865, almost 2,000 newly freed Union prisoners of war are packed onto the steamer Sultana, in poor repair and with a listed capacity of 376 passengers. Among them are four Indiana soldiers…

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