Staying Connected While Letting Go or Power Tennis Training

Staying Connected While Letting Go: The Paradox of Alzheimer's Caregiving

Author: Sandy Braff

This book, laced with poignant stories, focuses on the emotional impact of this disease on the caregivers and offers specific coping strategies they can use to keep them emotionally sane in this chaotic time.

Publishers Weekly

In their unflagging dedication to caregiving, spouses of an Alzheimer's patient often neglect their own emotional needs, say the authors of this compassionate volume. Braff, a therapist, and Olenik, formerly a research associate in an N.I.H.-funded study of Alzheimer's caregivers, chart the course of the disease from the caregivers' perspective, gathering stories of how they coped with the diagnosis, the painful progression and finally, their spouse's death. It is these stories that form the backbone of this book. Just as members of a support group share tales of grappling with fear, stress and isolation, so do the voices in this volume: Carolyn mourns the loss of meaningful conversation with her husband; Al misses the physical intimacy; Mamie comes to terms with the fact that her husband no longer recognizes her. The authors eschew direct advice in favor of vignettes that model, they hope, healthy ways of coping. This may frustrate some looking for concrete actions to take, phone numbers to call or other resources to peruse; the overwritten commentary, too, might grate (e.g. the authors want to "clip the wings of and enfeeble the predatory emotional effects" of the disease). But Braff and Olenik care deeply about their subject, and their book will help people struggling with a failing spouse feel part of a large and strong community. Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

A licensed marriage family therapist, Braff facilitated a weekly Alzheimer's support group for 14 years. Coauthor Olenik interviewed over 300 spousal caregivers over a six-year period in her research capacity at the University of California's Alzheimer's Caregiver Research Study. Their book explores the emotions that spousal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients experience as the disease progresses. In narratives arranged by the different stages of the disease, the participants manifest surprising resilience, problem solving, and coping behaviors. In addition, they are remarkably frank about discussing loss of sexual intimacy and dating before a spouse's death. This title, which effectively demonstrates that "the result of caregiving and grieving is often an initiation into a deeper, more meaningful life experience," is well suited to the comprehensive consumer health collections of large public, medical, and hospital libraries. Libraries in remote areas without local Alzheimer's support groups also will want to buy it for the benefit of isolated caregivers. Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins's The 36-Hour Day would be a better choice for small libraries looking for a single resource as it offers practical hints and guidelines for caregivers who are not necessarily spouses. (Index not seen.)-Cleo Pappas, La Grange Memorial Hosp. Lib., IL

See also: SELECT Series or A Design That Cares

Power Tennis Training

Author: Donald A Chu

Don Chu, training consultant to the United States Tennis Association and top tennis pros, presents an easy-to-follow, balanced conditioning program specifically designed to help tennis players at all levels put more power into their game. Through a regimen of stretching, weight training, plyometrics, medicine ball exercises, and court drills, you'll become faster and able to hit the ball harder. You'll also find that you're less injury-prone and can bounce back from injury sooner.

Let Power Tennis Training put more power into your game.

About the Author:
A frequent contributor to the National Strength and Conditioning Association Journal, Don Chu is a leading authority on power training and conditioning. In addition to serving as a consultant for the United States Tennis Association, Chu has been a conditioning consultant for the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Lions, and Chicago White Sox. He is owner, director, and consultant to individual athletes at the Ather Sports Injury Clinic in northern California.

Dr. Chu earned his PhD in physical therapy and physical education from Stanford University and is a professor emeritus of kinesiology and physical education at California State University, Hayward. In 1978, his only year as a head coach, Dr. Chu was named the Far Western Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year. He is a registered physical therapist, a certified athletic trainer through the National Athletic Training Association, and an National Strength and Conditioning Association-certified strength specialist.

Table of Contents:

Foreword by Todd Martin

Part I: Power Tennis Training Components

Chapter 1. Exercise Principles for Tennis Players
Chapter 2. Warm-Up and Stretching Exercises
Chapter 3. Weight Training and Trunk Exercises
Chapter 4. Plyometric and Medicine Ball Exercises
Chapter 5. Court Drills

Part II: Power Tennis Training Workouts

Chapter 6. Building Blocks Approach to Workouts
Chapter 7. Block 1--Strength Endurance Workout
Chapter 8. Block 2--Strength Workouts
Chapter 9. Block 3--Power Workouts

Appendix: Fitness Testing Worksheet
Exercise Index