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REVIEW

Are You or Your Patients Caring

for Someone with Dementia?

Welcome Stranger:

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Guide

By Mr. Sherman P. Macdaniel

A brief review by Dr. Adam Ratner

More of us are caring for loved ones with dementia. The
burdens on caregivers are enormous and most of us are un-
prepared, ignorant and consequently stressed, frustrated and
not optimally effective in dealing with our loved ones with
dementia. According to a Stanford University study, 40 per-
cent of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients die from
stress-related disorders before the person in their care dies.
Mr. Sherman Macdaniel, the grandson of 1917 BCMS
president, Alfred McDaniel, MD, wrote this brief guide to
begin to address the challenges of being an Alzheimer’s care-
giver. He states that the purpose of the manual is to help
Alzheimer’s caregivers reduce stress and anxiety. He does this
by relating his personal challenges and experiences of taking
care of his late wife and provides very practical yet compas-
sionate and spiritual suggestions for caregivers in similar cir-
cumstances. He also draws on the wisdom and experiences
of knowledgeable friends to create this brief guide.
You and your patients can also read or download a free
copy of the book by going to The Patient Institute website
(http://www.patientinstitute.org/alzheimers-caregivers-
guide/)
Physical copies of Welcome Stranger may be obtained by
contacting the author:
Mr. Sherman P. Macdaniel
PO Box 429
Fayetteville, TX 78940

Adam V. Ratner, MD, FACR, President-elect, BCMS; Chair-
man, The Patient Institute; Professor of Radiology, Health Policy and
Medical Humanities, University of the Incarnate Word, School of Os-
teopathic Medicine

34 San Antonio Medicine • July 2018