The Alzheimer's Disease Bookstore

The Moral Challenge of Alzheimer Disease 

Published by The Johns Hopkins University Press

Publisher's Description:

In a society that so values memory, intellectual abilities, and economic productivity, people with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementing illnesses are easily cast aside as unworthy of equal moral, social and political protection. This book argues forcefully that such a society must work to ensure honor and respect for those marginalized - and even ghettoized - by forgetfulness.

The Moral Challenge of Alzheimer Disease encourages humane and dignified care for people with dementia by examining the moral basis for such care against the background of cultural trends that threaten it. Stephen Post argues that maintaining the emotional and relational wellbeing of those with dementia depends on caregivers who see dignity even in those severely affected by this condition. He addresses specific ethical issues of interest to health care professionals, families, and affected individuals - including topics such as diagnostic disclosure, restriction on driving privileges, the extension of autonomy through advance directives, behavior control, quality of life in relation to treatment limitations, hospice care, and euthanasia. In cases of profound dementia, Post concludes, appropriate care focuses on well-being rather than on merely the intentional prolongation of life.

With examples of actual case experiences described throughout, this book is a valuable resource for family members and health professionals whose lives have been shaped by loyalty to those with dementia, for individuals who are themselves at risk of developing dementia, and for students of biomedical ethics.

Stephen G. Post is associate professor and associate director at the Center for Biomedical Ethics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. His books include Dementia and Aging and Too Old for Health Care?

You can now order the book listed below directly on the Internet from Lake Solitude Media's Alzheimer's Bookstore in affiliation with Amazon.com Books. Click on the link below.

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