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Older
Adults, Caregivers Find Answers
``The
Merck Manual of Health & Aging''
Published Today
May 18, 2004-- While most books about
aging focus on how to postpone it, "The
Merck Manual of Health & Aging,"
published today, tells the reader what
changes to expect and how to deal with
them, according to the publisher. For caregivers, often overwhelmed
by the demands of their role and the
lack of readily available information,
"The Merck Manual of Health & Aging"
offers essential information, useful
tools and reassurance to help them along
the way.
"Older adults and concerned caregivers
have a powerful ally in The Merck Manual
of Health & Aging, a comprehensive
resource that helps answer an age-old
health question: 'Is this normal?'" says
the publisher company.
"Older people have medical needs that are often quite different from
their younger counterparts," said
geriatrician and Editor-in Chief Mark H.
Beers, M.D. "To better manage their
health, older adults need clear
information on medications and diseases,
should understand which changes are a
natural part of aging, and which are
abnormal and require attention."
"The Merck Manual of Health & Aging"
details both the normal physiological
changes of aging, like needing and
getting less sleep, as well as symptoms
that may indicate disease, like
excessive daytime sleepiness. The
"Manual" provides in-depth information
on topics such as preventive medicine
and good nutrition, understanding
diagnostic tests, communicating health
care needs and home safety. It also
addresses the social, legal, and ethical
issues that affect the health and
well-being of older adults, including
coping with change, intimacy and aging,
and advance directives, like drafting a
living will.
Easing the Burden of Caregivers
More than 22 million people in the
United States are now providing ongoing
care for an older adult, a number that
will continue to grow as the population
ages. Family caregivers face difficult
decisions regarding the health and
welfare of a loved one on a daily basis,
and commonly report a range of
conflicting feelings, from affection and
fulfillment to frustration, anger,
sadness, guilt, and a sense of loss for
the deteriorating health of a loved one.
"The Merck Manual of Health & Aging"
provides credible information on the
issues common to most caregivers,
including when to take the car keys
away, recognizing the symptoms of
dementia in a loved one and questions to
ask when evaluating long-term care
facilities. A highly practical section
titled "Caring for Self and Others"
includes information on organizing care
for the older adult and maintaining
continuity of care in different
settings, such as hospitals and
long-term facilities. The "Manual"
covers in detail the emotional,
financial and physical challenges, as
well as the rewards, of care giving and
strategies to avoid caregiver burnout.
Navigating the System
More than 6,000 Americans turn age 65
every day in the United States,
according to the Alliance for Aging
Research. Those older adults and their
caregivers need help in managing medical
information and ongoing changes in
health care services and policy.
"'The Merck Manual of Health & Aging'
not only helps us understand how our
health changes as we age, it also serves
as a navigational guide through the
complex American health care system,"
said William D. Novelli, CEO of the
AARP. "The book is a valuable resource
for anyone who seeks a healthier old age
for themselves or their loved ones."
User-friendly Design
"The Merck Manual of Health & Aging"
contains 66 chapters divided into four
sections: Fundamentals of Aging; Caring
for Self and Others; Medical Conditions,
and Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues.
The book also features 25 essays sharing
each author's personal views and
insights about aging.
The text is easy to read and use, and
is accompanied by consumer-friendly
tables, graphs, and illustrations. A
detailed index lists thousands of
entries and sections are
cross-referenced throughout.
Not-for-Profit Service
"The Merck Manual of Health & Aging"
is the latest reference published by
pharmaceutical leader Merck & Co., Inc.
as a not-for-profit service. The other
titles are "The Merck Manual of Medical
Information - Second Home Edition," "The
Merck Manual of Geriatrics," "The Merck
Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy" for
doctors, "The Merck Veterinary Manual,"
and "The Merck Index" for chemists.
"The Merck Manual of Health & Aging"
costs $29.95 and is available wherever
books are sold or by visiting
www.merckbooks.com.
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global
research-driven pharmaceutical products
company. Merck discovers, develops,
manufactures and markets a broad range
of innovative products to improve human
and animal health, directly and through
its joint ventures.
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