Startling numbers of individuals stand to gain from the prevention or postponement of Alzheimer's disease - yet for the 26 million worldwide,  together with those newly diagnosed every 72 seconds, help and hope can be found in a new book, "I Hope They Know...The Essential Handbook on Alzheimer's Care" (Virtualbookworm Publishing, 2008), written by a physician caring for patients and families for over a decade.

Seven contributing authors, five of whom had a direct family experience with and death from Alzheimer's, join with Dr. Zoe A. Lewis in presenting quality of life solutions.

This book focuses on the questions and solutions that arise as the disease progresses from early diagnosis to the advanced end stage. Readers will learn what is currently known about making an early diagnosis, future care needs, support groups, spirituality, medications, and supplements, the newest non-pharmacological techniques of art and music therapy, therapeutic touch, and neuroarchitecture and environmental manipulation.   More sensitive topics including changes in sexuality, risky driving behavior, financial vulnerability, legal issues, protection of personhood, medical ethics, and advanced directives, and are covered in the sixty-two chapters.

The extensive use of photographs and poetry is designed to inspire a feeling of hope and spirituality uncommon for books on the subject of care giving.