cover image The Alzheimer's Advisor: A Caregiver's Guide to Dealing with the Tough Legal and Practical Issues

The Alzheimer's Advisor: A Caregiver's Guide to Dealing with the Tough Legal and Practical Issues

Vaughn E. James. AMACOM/American Management Association, $19.95 (300pp) ISBN 978-0-8144-0924-4

James, Vaughn E. The Alzheimer's Advisor: A Caregiver's Guide to Dealing with the Tough Legal and Practical Issues. AMACOM: American Management Assn. 2008. c.320p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-8144-0924-4. pap. $19.95. HEALTH~Verdict: A comprehensive treatment of the legal roles and responsibilities of individuals caring for someone with diminished legal capacity. Essential for all caregiving, aging, and legal collections. See also Dede Bonner's The 10 Best QuestionsT for Living with Alzheimer's, above. Background: When older adults show signs of memory loss, families are often most concerned with their relative's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They rarely consider legal or financial issues until their loved one's decision-making abilities become significantly impaired. James, a Seventh Day Adventist minister and law professor, dispenses important information on diminished mental competency; vegetative states; wills, trusts, and guardianships; liability problems; end-of-life care; advance directives; and choosing and paying for long-term care. Although the author lapses into legalese on occasion, stories from his own family and professional practice lighten what could have been an otherwise gloomy guide.-Karen McNally Bensing, Benjamin Rose Inst. Lib., Cleveland.