PHILADELPHIA, March 21, 2007 - The American College of Physicians (ACP) today released Alzheimers Disease: A Guide for Patients and Families and Guide to a Restful Sleep. Available for free to ACP member physicians to distribute to patients and their families, each topic includes a DVD and guidebook.
Alzheimer's Disease: A Guide for Patients and Families Up to 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimers disease. Scientists do not know what causes Alzheimers disease but they know that the risk of getting it increases with age. It usually begins after age 65.
It can be difficult for patients to find out they have Alzheimers disease, said Patrick C. Alguire, MD, FACP, ACPs director of education and career development. By learning more about Alzheimers disease, patients and their families can understand what to expect and plan for the future.
Sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Alzheimers Disease: A Guide for Patients and Families is designed to help patients and their families understand possible warning signs of Alzheimers disease; who is at risk; how it is diagnosed; the stages of the disease; treatment and support options; and how to plan for future care, including living arrangements, money management, transportation, and legal arrangements.
The Alzheimers disease guidebook includes a workbook section that provides questions to discuss with family members and caregivers. The DVD is narrated by television broadcaster and journalist Deborah Norville, whose grandmother had Alzheimer's disease.
Guide to a Restful Sleep If someone has difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep (trouble returning to sleep after awakening), waking up too early, or poor quality of sleep (not feeling refreshed after sleep), it could be insomnia.
It is normal to have trouble sleeping now and then, Alguire said. Over time, however, getting too little sleep can lead to serious problems such as daytime fatigue, tro
'"/>
Contact: Steve Majewski
smajewski@acponline.org
215-351-2514
American College of Physicians
21-Mar-2007