This book must have been difficult to write, especially for an author to have been a dementia caregiver not just once, but twice. However, Luna Carter has risen to that challenge to deliver a guide for those who face this medical scourge.

Subtitled "A Caregiver's Guide to Managing Alzheimer's and Cognitive Decline in Loved Ones", my copy of this book came to me as a downloaded Microsoft Word file, but it is available on Amazon as both a Kindle download ($2.99) and a paperback book ($13.99). My version had 81 pages, divided into eight numbered chapters, a conclusion, and a reference section. The references provided give web addresses for dementia care resources, although I don't know if the Kindle edition has hyperlinks for the reader. Each chapter is subdivided into titled subchapters. Chapter 1, Understanding Dementia, is a basic description of Alzheimer's and the three varieties of dementia. It is not clear from the author's biography whether she has a medical background, but her writing of this chapter is free of medical jargon and is easy to understand. Chapter 2, Becoming a Caregiver, although brief, is important as it deals with the moment most families dread--the delivery of the diagnosis and its aftermath. Chapter 3, Daily Care, teaches the reader the fundamentals of daily care for the loved one. Chapter 4, Dealing With Challenging Behaviors, is a most difficult topic, as the caregiver tries to handle the disheartening personality changes that take place in the loved one, transforming them into a different person than the one previously known.

Chapter 5, Communication, is a vital subject of vital necessity to the caregiver. A variety of communications strategies are offered, helpful suggestions that are neede as the disease progresses. Chapter 6, Home Safety, concerns physically preparing the patient's home, thus ensuring their safety as their cognitive decline robs them of the common sense that protects all of us each and every day. Chapter 7, Legal, Financial, and Housing Matters, concerns another difficult topic that is often overlooked by families. The timing of handling these issues is critical as it is best to resolve them prior to the patient losing all mental competency. Chapter 8, Caregiver Wellness, is brief, but vital--how the caregiver takes care of themselves is vital to both the patient and the caregiver.

Carter has an easy-going writing style that will appeal to the potential dementia caregiver--the situation is stressful enough for most people to preclude any but the most relaxed kind of reading. This short book should be a welcome aid to those in sore need of positive guidance and information. ( )

This is a concise book on dealing with dementia in a loved one. While only 81 pages, it covers everything from what dementia is and isn’t, types of dementia, practical hints for daily life, and legal/ financial considerations. Written in understandable language, this book is well organized with well-defined chapters packed with useful tips.
Luna Carter writes from a place of loving experience, having dealt with this in her own family. I am now handling two members of my family with dementia and this book had several tips that I can use. I think anyone with older family members would find value in this small book. ( )

Offers practical information and how-tos on how to care for a loved one with dementia with dignity.

Dementia untangled is an informative and unflinching look at the responsibilities and realities of caregiving for loved ones with memory problems, as well as a self care guide for the caregiver. The author writes from experience, so this book is filled with practical suggestions for handling a wide variety of problems that arise when dealing with memory impairment. It is well written and organized, and is a valuable resource for caregivers to help them understand the process and the reasons behind many of the confusing behaviors that can occur. I recommend this work highly for anyone affected by dementia and especially for anyone caring for the memory impaired. ( )

The amount of material in Dementia Untangled is astounding. I'll keep this book close as a reference source. Threads in the book are common to most dementia patients. The caring suggestions given, while not directly applicable in some cases, provide a basis for caregiver ideas that can be drawn on to deal with the needs of a reader’s loved one. It can’t be a step-by-step manual as cognitive degrading illnesses are so individualized.

It became more obvious that my wife's cognition had deteriorated, and would continue to do so, after each successive operation for skeletal damage stemming from a fall. Each operation called for general anesthesia. As she recovered from each, her cognitive abilities decreased further.

Her recovery required rehab in a facility that resulted in additional cognitive harm. Large doses of depression and anxiety drugs were administered to deal with her fears of being separated from me. This too made her situation worse.
I spent 14 to 16 hours each day visiting with her until they finally released her to my care. Coincidentally, our Medicare rehab coverage was used up at about the same time. A stubborn staph infection required the administration of intravenous antibiotics twice daily. Without a background in medicine or caregiving, I was now responsible for the maintenance of my wife’s life. I felt, and often still feel, overwhelmed and scared. Taking each day one at a time, I’ve fallen into a routine of timely drug administration, meal preparation, bathing, incontinence dealing, and doctors’ visits. The ultimate financial burden of a care facility in her future still needs to be dealt with.

I read a book on dementia that discussed its many causes and treatments, but I didn't find it particularly helpful for dealing with the disease. Luna Carter's book was exactly what I needed. It is written by an author who experienced what I’m going through. Carter writes with compassion for caregivers.

Over a hundred suggestions for how to handle the difficulties of caring for a loved one with dementia can be found in Dementia Untangled. As I read, solutions given for common cognitive symptoms led to other solutions that would work better for me.

Luna Carter claims that I will one day recognize how much strength I've earned from this experience. Right now, I only see a life of caring for a childlike adult, one who was once admired, especially by me, for her strong constitution. It's challenging to see that benefit now, but it offers me hope; I need that right now.

“Dementia Untangled: A Caregiver’s Guide To Managing Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline in Loved Ones” has quickly become a reference book for me. I find myself going back to certain sections as situations come up. It’s a book that is not written by an academic but by someone who once was where I am, who became better by the experience, researched the subject matter further and is now giving back.

Again, "Dementia Untangled: A Caregiver's Guide To Managing Alzheimer's and Cognitive Decline in Loved Ones" has become my go-to resource book. I keep returning to specific guideline areas as new circumstances arise. And it's a book that’s written by someone who was once in my position, who improved as a result of the experience, who furthered her studies on this subject matter, and who is now giving back. I, for one, am thankful for all her efforts and experience sharing. ( )