I Love Someone with Dementia... So Why Am I Losing My Mind? PDF Download

Author: Beth Friesen
Publisher: Infusionmedia
ISBN: 9781945834080
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Book Description
How did it begin for you? In our family, we went through theories to explain it all away. This game went on for at least a year or two before one day, it clicked. Mom had Alzheimer's. This book is meant to be a guide to help you and those you love navigate the overwhelming diagnosis of dementia, especially Alzheimer's Dementia, and the months and years that follow. It includes what we wish we had known, what we learned, and the resources that helped us along the way. "This book is an excellent and practical guide to help you navigate this tough challenge from the beginning to the end." --Suzy Nootz, MSN, RN, CDP, Country House Residence for Memory Care "An empathic and helpful guide in understanding and negotiating the process of recognizing, diagnosing, treating, and coping with a loved one with Alzheimer's Dementia." --Dr. Robert G. Arias, PhD, Arias Neuropsychology & Behavioral Medicine, PC

Author: Amy Bloom
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 0593243943
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A powerful memoir of a love that leads two people to find a courageous way to part—and a woman’s struggle to go forward in the face of loss—that “enriches the reader’s life with urgency and gratitude” (The Washington Post) “A pleasure to read . . . Rarely has a memoir about death been so full of life. . . . Bloom has a talent for mixing the prosaic and profound, the slapstick and the serious.”—USA Today ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: NPR Amy Bloom began to notice changes in her husband, Brian: He retired early from a new job he loved; he withdrew from close friendships; he talked mostly about the past. Suddenly, it seemed there was a glass wall between them, and their long walks and talks stopped. Their world was altered forever when an MRI confirmed what they could no longer ignore: Brian had Alzheimer’s disease. Forced to confront the truth of the diagnosis and its impact on the future he had envisioned, Brian was determined to die on his feet, not live on his knees. Supporting each other in their last journey together, Brian and Amy made the unimaginably difficult and painful decision to go to Dignitas, an organization based in Switzerland that empowers a person to end their own life with dignity and peace. In this heartbreaking and surprising memoir, Bloom sheds light on a part of life we so often shy away from discussing—its ending. Written in Bloom’s captivating, insightful voice and with her trademark wit and candor, In Love is an unforgettable portrait of a beautiful marriage, and a boundary-defying love.

Author: Thomas DeBaggio
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0743216725
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 221

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Book Description
When Tom DeBaggio turned fifty-seven in 1999, he thought he was about to embark on the relaxing golden years of retirement -- time to spend with his family, his friends, the herb garden he had spent decades cultivating and from which he made a living. Then, one winter day, he mentioned to his doctor during a routine exam that he had been stumbling into forgetfulness, making his work difficult. After that fateful visit, and a subsequent battery of tests over several months, DeBaggio joined the legion of twelve million others afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. But under such a curse, DeBaggio was also given one of the greatest gifts: the ability to chart the ups and downs of his own failing mind. Losing My Mind is an extraordinary first-person account of early onset Alzheimer's -- the form of the disease that ravages younger, more alert minds. DeBaggio started writing on the first day of his diagnosis and has continued despite his slipping grasp on one of life's greatest treasures, memory. In an inspiring and detailed account, DeBaggio paints a vivid picture of the splendor of memory and the pain that comes from its loss. Whether describing the happy days of a youth spent in a much more innocent time or evaluating how his disease has affected those around him, DeBaggio poignantly depicts one of the most important parts of our lives -- remembrance -- and how we often take it for granted. But to DeBaggio, memory is more than just an account of a time long past, it is one's ability to function, to think, and ultimately, to survive. As his life becomes reduced to moments of clarity, the true power of thought and his ability to connect to the world shine through, and in DeBaggio's case, it is as much in the lack of functioning as it is in the ability to function that one finds love, hope and the relaxing golden years of peace. At once an autobiography, a medical history and a testament to the beauty of memory, Losing My Mind is more than just a story of Alzheimer's, it is the captivating tale of one man's battle to stay connected with the world and his own life.

Author: Laura Wayman
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 142142228X
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 165

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Book Description
Wayman offers compassionate advice on overcoming practical and emotional obstacles to maintaining meaningful relationship with loved ones who have dementia and memory loss. She offers caregiving insights and information about the dangers of denying the onset of cognitive problems.

Author: Rhonda Hoffman
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1532080360
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
A familiar stranger. That is who my mom became as dementia slowly took hold of her. She was someone I knew and loved but not the same person she had been. A profound sadness hit me when I realized that my daughters may one day have to deal with me in this same condition and I wanted them to know that who I become if this happens is not really who I am. The things I will say and do will be coming from someone who has gradually become a stranger to them. Everything about our life together will change when I have nowhere to go and all day to get there, forgetting that they still have commitments, appointments and things to do. We will experience a sense of time travel as my memories from the past become jumbled up in the happenings of each new day. The change in my language could bring about surprising and sometimes disturbing conversations as the filters from the past wane and they see me in my uncut glory. This is a love letter of instruction to my daughters while I am able to express myself fully with prompts for you to do the same for your children or to chronicle meaningful times in the lives of your parents before the chance is lost forever.

Author: John Swinton
Publisher: SCM Press
ISBN: 0334049644
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
Winner of the Michael Ramsay Prize 2016 Dementia is one of the most feared diseases in Western society today. Some have even gone so far as to suggest euthanasia as a solution to the perceived indignity of memory loss and the disorientation that accompanies it. Here, John Swinton develops a practical theology of dementia for caregivers, people with dementia, ministers, hospital chaplains, and medical practitioners as he explores two primary questions: • Who am I when I’ve forgotten who I am? • What does it mean to love God and be loved by God when I have forgotten who God is? Offering compassionate and carefully considered theological and pastoral responses to dementia and forgetfulness, Swinton’s Dementia redefines dementia in light of the transformative counter story that is the gospel.

Author: Kathy Jean Stewart RN BSN
Publisher: BalboaPress
ISBN: 1452569347
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
“The subject of physical and mental deterioration and its consequences on people and their loved ones is one that most of us prefer to avoid, even those of us who provide medical care to the elderly. Yet, this is often part of the human experience. Information written on the subject is usually dry and didactic. Kathy Stewart has granted the reader access to her world, the assisted living community, where extraordinary needs are met by extraordinary people. Through interesting, illustrative, and poignant vignettes, a realistic, often intense and yet hopeful experience is accorded the reader. This book, crafted professionally and compassionately, is a gem that should be read not only by relatives of people suffering progressive memory loss but by all of us, since many of us will eventually be touched by this situation in our lifetimes.” —Mark H. Greenberg, MD, FACR, Rheumatologist, Author of “Doctor, Why Do I Hurt So Much?” “Few events impact an entire family more than the onset of dementia in a parent, spouse, sibling, or close friend. Drawing upon her own personal and professional experiences, Kathy Stewart has developed a practical guide for caregivers. The book is easy to read, yet it provides a wealth of useful information which is accessible to all. It should provide knowledge and comfort for anyone caring for an individual with dementia.” —George A. Kuchel, M.D., FRCPC, Professor, Citicorp Chair in Geriatrics & Gerontology, Director, UConn Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center “Kathy Stewart has provided an outstanding, informative, and useful guide. This book is required reading for all adult children and caregivers who seek to provide the best possible care for Mom and Dad. I wish I had this book when my own mother developed stroke-related dementia and needed extensive specialized care.” —Elly Trepman, M.D., Professional Associate, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, www.manuscriptsurgeon.com

Author: Lisa Genova
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1849833710
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 376

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Book Description
A moving story of a woman with early onset Alzheimer's disease, now a major Academy Award-winning film starring Julianne Moore and Kristen Stewart. Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At fifty, she's a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a renowned expert in linguistics, with a successful husband and three grown children. When she begins to grow forgetful and disoriented, she dismisses it for as long as she can until a tragic diagnosis changes her life - and her relationship with her family and the world around her - for ever. Unable to care for herself, Alice struggles to find meaning and purpose as her concept of self gradually slips away. But Alice is a remarkable woman, and her family learn more about her and each other in their quest to hold on to the Alice they know. Her memory hanging by a frayed thread, she is living in the moment, living for each day. But she is still Alice. 'Remarkable … illuminating … highly relevant today' Daily Mail 'The most accurate account of what it feels like to be inside the mind of an Alzheimer's patient I've ever read. Beautifully written and very illuminating' Rosie Boycot 'Utterly brilliant' Chrissy Iley

Author: Pauline Boss
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118077288
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Research-based advice for people who care for someone with dementia Nearly half of U.S. citizens over the age of 85 are suffering from some kind of dementia and require care. Loving Someone Who Has Dementia is a new kind of caregiving book. It's not about the usual techniques, but about how to manage on-going stress and grief. The book is for caregivers, family members, friends, neighbors as well as educators and professionals—anyone touched by the epidemic of dementia. Dr. Boss helps caregivers find hope in "ambiguous loss"—having a loved one both here and not here, physically present but psychologically absent. Outlines seven guidelines to stay resilient while caring for someone who has dementia Discusses the meaning of relationships with individuals who are cognitively impaired and no longer as they used to be Offers approaches to understand and cope with the emotional strain of care-giving Boss's book builds on research and clinical experience, yet the material is presented as a conversation. She shows you a way to embrace rather than resist the ambiguity in your relationship with someone who has dementia.

Author: Chris Perkins
Publisher: Penguin Random House New Zealand Limited
ISBN: 1775531961
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 235

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Book Description
Thorough and compassionate information about dementia and Alzheimer's for caregivers and people with early dementia. As the population continues to age, so too the numbers of people with dementia and Alzheimer's grow. Inevitably, it will affect everyone in some way . . . as sufferers, or as carers, or as part of the wide circle of family, friends, professional and voluntary workers needed to support the main caregiver. The effects of dementia spread far into the community. Based on Dr Chris Perkins' acclaimed book The New Zealand Dementia Guide, first published in 2004, this is a completely revised and updated edition. This comprehensive book has been written to give people the information they need to understand and come to terms with this illness, and cope with the changes that occur as the disease takes its course. It explains what dementia is, the different forms it takes, how and where to get help, diagnostic tests, treatment and medication, and the services available. It examines the issues involved in both caring for a sufferer at home, and when the time comes to choose residential care. It is difficult for carers to achieve the right balance of reality and hope. Dementia can be a grim condition, which progressively deprives people of the attributes they value. But in this book, old-age psychiatry specialist Dr Chris Perkins aims to help caregivers at all levels deal with it with acceptance and compassion, offering humane and respectful care to people with dementia.