At age 80, Sarah looked forward to enjoying the "golden years" with Jack, her husband of 40 years. Unfortunately this was not to be. After episodes of surprise, disbelief, denial and despair, Sarah finally had to accept the devastating truth; Jack had Alzheimer's disease and life would never be the same again. Now began her challenging task as Jack's caregiver. With the help of family, friends and a sympathetic social worker, she tries to make a life for herself while getting the best possible care for Jack. This loving and courageous woman recounts her experiences, heartbroken to see Jack slowly losing contact with the world around him.The episodes she describes are illuminating, sometimes sad, sometimes amusing but always difficult and frustrating. They were a challenge to her resourcefulness in working out ways to care for Jack and at the same time lead a life of her own. She could no longer share with her beloved Jack, the wonderful memories of days gone by.

This book examines writings by people living with Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers. Its focus areas include the construction of the self in the face of diminishing linguistic and cognitive abilities, the stigmatization of ageing, the various narrative strategies that these texts (often collaborative) employ, the health activism and advocacy generated via a 'biosociality,' and the ethics of care. It examines the 'disease writing' genre about a condition that ravages the ability to use language. It serves as a "literary" examination of the work done in this area through a critical reading of the memoirs of those with AD and caregivers and a healthy dose of literary theory. The book is a valuable resource for those interested in literary and critical theory and researchers in the field of ageing/dementia studies.

'Keeper' is a very humane and honest exploration of living with Alzheimer's, giving an illuminating account of the disease itself. Gillies tells about the time she and her family spent living with someone with dementia, in a big Victorian house in the far, far north of Scotland.

The Dementia Care Workbook is a workbook style text on dementia, aimed at pre-registration level students training to be Mental Health or Adult nurses. By using reflective exercises and other tools, the book is designed to help readers get to grips with the key issues of dementia care, with a focus on the felt experience for all involved. Topics covered include: the felt experience (the patient), the felt experience (the carer/family), attitudes to caring, environment of care, the person, engagement, ways of working, empowerment and the future.

What would you do if both parents were diagnosed with Alzheimer's?At the time of their diagnosis, Ed Church struggles to his feet, yelling, "How dare you use the A. word with me," while Ibby wags her finger at the doctor scolding, "Shame on you."They protect each other, Ibby by asserting, "We're not leaving our home," and Ed reassuring, "We're just fine."About his driving Ed defends, "I'm an excellent driver, I've never had an accident." When their daughter, Rosie, finds dings in Ed's car, he dismisses, "Someone must have bumped into me."After Rosie moves them to assisted living, convinced they are on a second honeymoon, they break the news, "We've decided not to have more children."In the late stages, they politely shake Rosie's hand, inquiring, "Now, who are you?"In ALZHEIMER'S DAUGHTER readers journey with Rosie Church from her first suspicions that something is awry to nearly a decade later as she is honored to hold Ed and Ibby's hands when they draw their final breaths.

Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please: How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents--is a riveting true story as well as an extensive self-help book, with solutions for effective management, medically and behaviorally, of challenging elders who resist care. Jacqueline Marcell's poignant and often-humorous story of caring for her challenging elderly father and sweet but frail mother, addresses issues like how to get an obstinate elder to: give up driving, accept a caregiver, see a different doctor, take medication, go to adult day care, move to a new residence, etc. Includes: Behavior Modification Guidelines, 25 Q&A's=How Do I Handle My Elderly Loved One Who...?, Long-Term Care Insurance, Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's, How is Alzheimer's Diagnosed, Three Stages of Alzheimer's, Startling Statistics, Other Diseases That Act Like Alzheimer's, Jacqueline's Top Ten Recommendations, Hope For The Future, The Search for the Cure, Valuable Resources, Recommended Reading. Internationally known dementia specialist, Rodman Shankle, MS MD, contributes the Addendum: A Physician's Guide to Treating Dementia. Over 50 endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin, Dr. Dean Edell, Duke University Center for Aging, Dr. Nancy Snyderman/ABC News, Leeza Gibbons, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Rudy Tanzi/Harvard Medical School, and The Johns Hopkins Memory Clinic. http://www.elderrage.com

An intimate account by the Academy Award-winning actress documents her rise from an everyday girl to an acclaimed performer while exploring her defining relationship with her mother and how their shared and separate dreams influenced their experiences.