In Bed Alone

In Bed Alone: Descriptive summary of book. FOR CAREGIVERS AND ADVOCATES There are two Hebrew phrases that attempt to motivate for a meaningful life: Tikkun Olam, repairing the world through learning, caring and promoting social justice, and Ladore Vadore, passing it on from generation to generation. Dr. Len Kreisler distills his life experiences as a medical researcher, primary care physician, military physician, cruise ship physician, corporate medical director for government work, teacher, speaker and most importantly husband and father. His book focuses on the ever-present, expanding challenges of caregiving and advocacy. IN BED ALONE, makes for a better understanding of psychiatric emotions and behaviors such as anxiety, depression, irrational exuberances of bipolar disease, and neurologic diseases affecting movement, cognition and our vital senses, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementias. Dr. Kreisler demonstrates the possibilities for better outcomes through perseverance, attention to detail, discipline, the incorporation hope and being blessed with a liberal dose of luck. He explains medical terms with real case examples and personal experiences such as successfully managing his wife's diagnosis of bipolar disease in their second year of marriage and her fronto-temporal dementia in the so-called golden years. As he often says, "we had some formidable bumpy challenges along the road but Joan (his wife) became a credentialed teacher, mother and mentor of three very accomplished children who've passed the positive elements on to eight wonderful grandchildren." Suggestions are given for caregivers and advocates to better address the challenges of: evaluating what medications are appropriate, understanding acute care as opposed to palliative or hospice care, legal documents and directives, sources of help for everyday activities and the realistic limitations for any given scenario. Each case has its own considerations and with knowledge we can better manage the needs of the caregiver and the patient.