About the Book
As you age, you may find yourself worrying about your memory. Where did I put those car keys? What time was my appointment? What was her name again? With more than 41 million Americans over the age of 65 in the United States, the question becomes how much (or, perhaps, what type) of memory loss is to be expected as one gets older and what should trigger a visit to the doctor. Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory addresses these key
concerns and more, such as...· What are the signs that suggest your memory problems are more than just part of normal aging?· Is it normal to have concerns about your
memory?· What are the markers of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, Alzheimer's, and other neurodegenerative diseases? · How should you convey your memory concerns to your doctor? · What can your doctor do to evaluate your memory?· Which healthcare professional(s) should you see?· What medicines, alternative therapies, diets, and exercises are available to improve your memory?· Can crossword
puzzles, computer brain-training games, memory aids, and strategies help strengthen your memory?· What other resources are available when dealing with memory loss? Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory is
written in an easy-to-read yet comprehensive style, featuring clinical vignettes and character-based stories that provide real-life examples of how to successfully manage age-related memory loss.
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
How to Use this Book
About the Stories
Introduction
Step 1: Learn What is Normal Memory
Chapter 1: Which Memory Errors can Happen to Anyone of Any Age?
Chapter 2: How Does Memory Change in Normal Aging?
Step 2: Determine if Your Memory is Normal
Chapter 3: What Kinds of Memory Problems are not Normal?
Chapter 4: What Should the Doctor do to Evaluate My Memory?
Chapter 5: When are Special Tests and Evaluations Needed?
Step 3: Understand Your Memory Loss
Chapter 6: Will My Memory Get Better? Which Causes of Memory Loss are Reversible?
Chapter 7: What are Dementia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Subjective Cognitive Decline?
Chapter 8: What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Chapter 9: What is Vascular Dementia?
Chapter 10: What Else Could It Be? What are Other Brain Disorders of Aging Affecting Thinking and Memory?
Step 4: Treat Your Memory Loss
Chapter 11: Which Medications Can Help Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease?
Chapter 12: I'm Feeling A Bit Anxious and Depressed by My Memory Loss or My Diagnosis. What Should I Do About These Feelings?
Step 5: Modify Your Lifestyle
Chapter 13: What Foods Should I Eat or Avoid to Help My Memory?
Chapter 14: Can Physical Activity and Exercise Help My Memory?
Step 6: Strengthen Your Memory
Chapter 15: What Can I Do to Strengthen My Memory?
Chapter 16: What Strategies Can I Use to Help My Memory?
Chapter 17: Which Memory Aids are Helpful?
Step 7: Plan Your Future
Chapter 18: Will Changes In My Memory Change My Life?
Chapter 19: Where Do I Go From Here?
Glossary
Further Reading
About the Authors
Index
About the Author :
Andrew E. Budson, MD, majored in chemistry and philosophy at Haverford College before receiving his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Budson is Professor of Neurology at Boston University, Lecturer in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Chief of Cognitive & Behavioral Neurology at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System. His career combines education, research, and clinical care to help those with memory disorders.
Maureen K. O'Connor, PsyD, was educated at Ithaca College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. O'Connor is Assistant Professor of Neurology at Boston University, Director of Neuropsychology at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Hospital, and Member at Large of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Her award-winning research, education, and clinical care focuses on patients with memory disorders.
Review :
"Drs. Andrew Budson and Maureen O'Connor use real-life examples to instruct readers on how to understand the differences between signs of normal aging versus indicators of potentially more-serious signs of diminished capacity. This easy-to-read book is suitable for anyone who is concerned about their own memory or the memory of a loved one." -- WTOP
"Dr. Andrew Budson and Dr. Maureen O'Connors book [...] ushers in much needed brilliance, illuminating a path through what can be a dark and disconcerting sense of the unknown. [...] This book provides an excellent overview for those experiencing memory problems in old age. It provides sound advice and direction for cognitive assessment at the hands of a qualified clinical neuropsychologist working closely alongside a behavioral neurologist or physician with
expertise in memory disorders. Soon after finishing this book, I thought about asking my postdoctoral fellow to read it. That is arguably one of the highest indications of its worth that I could give."
-- S. Duke Han, PhD, ABPP-CN, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
"Memory concerns are common and addressing them in practical terms is rare. Andrew Budson and Maureen O'Connor take on this challenge in Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory, providing understandable real-world advice about how to know if memory is normal or abnormal and how to understand what memory impairment means. The advice is practical, comprehensible, and valuable - don't forget this book." -- Jeffrey Cummings, MD, ScD, Cleveland Clinic Lou
Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV
"This book provides a comprehensive review of how the brain stores memories, the causes of memory disorders and how these disorders should be evaluated, treated and managed. This book is so clearly written that it provides valuable information and practical advice for people with memory disorders, their families and health-care professionals." -- Kenneth M. Heilman, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
"The book combines scientific data from the research literature, clinical knowledge, and their extensive experience to offer a helpful, practical guide to managing concerns that older people may have when their memories start to falter." -- Martin L. Albert, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
"This thoughtful book offers insight into how the mind works and provides answers to fears about 'losing our memory'. Through a series of vignettes, the authors help sort fact from fiction and, by the end of the book, the reader will be comforted to learn that being unable to find the keys for the tenth time in a week is likely the result of an overtaxed mind rather than something more serious. In this world of media bombardment and multitasking, here is a book
that provides just the reassurance we need. A 'must read' for everyone over the age of 40. Just don't forget to buy it!" -- Cecilia McVey, RN, MHA, Certified in Nursing Administration, Boston, MA
"An informative and accessible discussion of memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other mental-health concerns. This primer will be useful to middle-aged and elderly readers, caregivers, family members, healthcare professionals, and others striving to understand the aging brain or find concrete ways to enhance brain health." - --Publishers Weekly
"Understanding how memory works, and how well it works, is key to understanding yourself. For this this reason, Seven Steps To Managing Your Memory is recommended reading for everyone." -- The Electric Review
"Overall, I would highly recommend the book as a valuable resource for patients and families. I found it to be clear, accessible, generally accurate reading. I will gladly recommend the book to my patients and their families, and I would encourage other neurologists to do the same." -- Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology
"An excellent overview for those experiencing memory problems in old age." -- Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
