What If It's Not Alzheimer's?

September 1, 2014

Experts estimate that around two million people in the United States suffer from severe dementia, and another one to five million experience mild to moderate cases. While most people associate dementia with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) accounts for around five percent of the cases. The coauthors, son and wife of an FTD sufferer, cared for their loved one until he died at 58. This third edition of their book ably gathers the significant medical developments of the last seven years into an excellent guide for caregivers. Sections written by experts and experienced caregivers cover the medical and genetic aspects of FTD, working with health professionals, medical therapy options, rehabilitation interventions, the stages of the disease, and practical aspects of daily care. VERDICT While there is some overlap among the individual chapters, this guide presents a wealth of medical information, written in terms the interested layperson can understand, as well as practical advice. One of the few books to discuss FTD specifically, this is an invaluable resource for patients, family, and friends, as well as health-care providers.--Marcia G. Welsh, Dartmouth Coll. Lib., Hanover, NH

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