Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk has written a compelling book that guides the reader in a workable manner towards understanding, navigating, accepting, and surviving the challenges of having a loved one diagnosed with dementia. Although others have written books such as this Landsverk’s is unique as it also includes what a person with dementia will likely experience - not only the family.

As a provider who diagnoses and treats hundreds of patients with dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease, frontotemporal dementia, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Disease, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and mixed dementia) I can tell you that diagnosing a patient with dementia can be very challenging and there is often significant pushback from patients and family members. Until recently with the development of medication such as Lecanemab and the newly approved donanemab there were no actual treatment options - all we had are the Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to slow down disease progression and the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine. Even with the two new medications there are limitations to which patient can receive them as they both focus on the “mild” disease stage. Not having viable treatment options for all patients with dementia is very hard to explain to patients and even harder for them to accept.

As an expert in her field, Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, founder of ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, has led thousands of patients through a brain disease diagnosis, equipping them with knowledge, tools, and support to help them live happy and engaged lives. She shares her expertise in this practical reference that offers helpful explanations, advice, and guidance through an often confusing and challenging new landscape. Dr. Landsverk’s advice covers understanding the disease itself to managing a patient’s aggression and paranoia, from protecting against elder abuse to creating a long-range plan for patients and caregivers that includes home care, assisted living, and hospice care. LIVING IN THE MOMENT promises a plan that will minimize medication, treat pain, and relieve agitation, without falling back on standard medical approaches.

I will be recommending this book to all of my patients with dementia!

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from the author/publisher via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄
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Elizabeth Landsverk's LIVING IN THE MOMENT is possibly the most clear-eyed and compassionate guide I've ever read about caring for a person with dementia. Her focus on quality of life and care for all individuals involved is unique and ultimately why her guidance is so helpful for those baffled by and overwhelmed with complex financial, health, and legal issues while doing their best to care for a beloved. It is hands-on, feet-on-the-ground practical and also mindful of the joy to be found during a dark, strange journey. I received an early copy of the book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Living in the Moment: A Guide to Overcoming Challenges and Finding Moments of Joy in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias by Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk is an easy to read, practical guide for the family navigating this journey and focuses on helping to create the best life you can for your loved one with dementia. While I am not the primary caregiver for my loved I still found it really informative. The book isn't super depth but goes just deep enough to serve as a good reference, especially when it comes to understanding the types of medications your loved one may be taking or offered. The caveat is since I'm not a pharmacist, physician, or other type of provider I can't say with 100% certainty that all the information is correct. I would hope so given that the author is a physician specializing in this field but you never know. Therefore it's always best to talk with your own care team when making decisions about medications (and procedures, tests etc.). Something that I really liked about the book is the author emphasized making decisions with (and when needed, for) your loved one that essentially boils down improving or maintaining quality vs quantity of life.

The author describes not only the medical aspect of caring for someone with dementia but also helps you think about the financial and legal sides of things. These chapters provide a short overview of the different kinds of paperwork that can be completed such as power of attorney, durable power of attorney (which I learned are two separate things), living wills, trusts and more,

Finally, the author stresses the importance of caring for the caregiver. This includes tips for finding resources in your area and knowing/accepting if the time is right to either bring caregivers into the home or to move your loved into a facility. Tips for identifying the right type of placement for your loved one are included which I think is particularly useful.

I'll end my review with a quote from the book that I found particularly powerful:

"Stephanie Howard, a dear friend and dementia care director, has crafted what she calls “The Dementia Serenity Prayer.” It goes like this: What “was,” was. (In other words, you can’t go back to the time before dementia entered your family life.) What “is,” is. (Dementia is the new reality. It is what it is.) There is nothing wrong with making the “is,” the best “is” it ever was. (The dementia can’t be changed, but you can make life with dementia as good as it can be.)" -Living in the Moment: A Guide to Overcoming Challenges and Finding Moments of Joy in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias