Aging or Alzheimer's?

Is it normal aging, Alzheimer's, or another dementia?

Two of three Americans will experience cognitive impairment by the age of 70. But is it natural age-related forgetfulness, or the early indication of Alzheimer's Disease or other types of dementia? How worried should older people-or their families and friends-be about their memory loss? And what happens next?

Kenneth Frumkin, PhD, MD, recently retired from a 36-year medical career and facing his own age- and memory-related challenges, provides an empathetic and comprehensive guide to answering those questions. Aging or Alzheimer's? explains what is currently known about the challenges to memory and cognition that come with longevity. Dr. Frumkin describes the progression of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias; discusses when to see a doctor and what to expect from the visit; weighs the pros and cons of available tests, treatments, and research; shares personal and passionate tips for coping with decline; and gives the best ways to preserve cognitive health.

There are an average of 15 new Alzheimer's publications per day. While busy practicing doctors often wait for the consensus reviews of new Alzheimer's studies that are published about every 10 years, Dr. Frumkin provides evidence-based, up-to-date guidance from the most current memory research. The result is your complete, modern guide to understanding and managing your-or your loved ones'-memory loss or cognitive decline.

“This book is like a conversation with a trusted friend who provides practical knowledge and well-researched advice on topics not often discussed. My recommendation is that everyone over 65 should read it now."
—John E. Prescott, MD, FACEP, Professor Emeritus and Former Dean, WVU School of Medicine; Former Chief Academic Officer, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
 
“In this practical, informative, and humanistic book, Dr. Frumkin helps us understand what normal aging means for our memory. Memory lapses don’t equal memory loss. Memory changes don’t always portend cognitive decline. This book combines evidence with experience to help us ask questions like ‘what is normal for age?’ and ‘what is memory?’ and ‘what is aging?’”
—Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS, Endowed Professor and Chair of Pediatrics and Physician in Chief, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University
 
“[Dr. Frumkin’s] transparency, passion for accuracy, humor, and intellect make for a complex read that still makes for easy understanding while providing hope through knowledge.” 
—H. Nicholas Augenstein, MD, Internist and Geriatrician; Physician Emeritus and Associate Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School, retired
 
“This is quite a book. It covers a lot of ground and in exceptional depth. It is extremely well documented with current references…. For the ‘Worried Well,’ it can give great comfort, or at its worst, confirm the fact that someone may be of the ‘Worried Un-well.’”
—Nick Augenstein, M.D., Internal Medicine; Associate Professor EVMS, retired; Physician Emeritus
 
“Dr. Frumkin’s book is for you if you want an honest, scientific, and practical explanation of the existing data, concepts, causes, and treatments of age-related memory problems, including the large variety of potential cognitive deficits that may affect people as they get older…. You will also want to lend it out, but be sure to get it back.”
—Alan Robert Ross, PhD
 
“[Dr. Frumkin’s] perspective on neurodegeneration/dementia is both scientific and personal and will give much-needed insight to the readers. This book will provide readers with new information and support them with what they might already feel or know.”
—Saket Saxena, MD, Center for Geriatric Medicine; Co-Director Geriatric Emergency Department, Cleveland Clinic
 
“Frumkin breaks new ground and establishes significant scientific and practical benchmarks for the study of one of the most vexing societal and mental health care challenges of our generation. Scientists and physicians who study this issue will be using his framework to guide and assist their efforts in addressing the issues affecting the lives of generations of people to come. Both health care professionals and interested readers will be well advised to add Frumkin’s seminal work to their libraries.”
—Barbara A. Mori, Ed.D., author and former Director of Special Education, and Allen A. Mori, Ph.D., author and former Dean of Education at Marshall University and California State University-Los Angeles
 

Kenneth Frumkin, PhD, MD, FACEP studied physiological psychology in college and graduate school. He earned his master's and PhD degrees from McGill University. After two years of research at the US Army's Biomedical Laboratories, mainly studying mechanisms of addiction in animals, he went on to medical school and a residency in emergency medicine. His 36-year medical career was split between community hospital emergency departments and teaching, research, and practice in military academic medical centers.

Board-certified in his specialty, Dr. Frumkin is the author of over three dozen peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters in psychology and medicine. Having retired as a civilian employee of the Department of the Navy in 2017, Dr. Frumkin is currently a volunteer member of the academic faculty at the Emergency Medicine Residency, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia.

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