LaBena Fleming writes "Caregiver to Caregiver: a Scripture-Focused Guided Reflection Journal."

LaBena Fleming's first book, I Love You Always, One Family’s Alzheimer’s/Dementia Journey and the Lessons Learned Along the Way, details her journey as her mom's devoted caregiver. Now in her second book, LaBena lends more support to caregivers by publishing Caregiver to Caregiver, A Scripture-Focused, Guided Reflection Journal in hopes that hurried caregivers will take time for reflection and renewal of the spirit.

LaBena shares:

I feel my book is beneficial to others because I encourage them to do many of the things caregivers either don’t think to do, forget to do, or don’t think they have time to do. I encourage them to think through, experience, and write their feelings in this journal without fear of guilt, shame, or judgment. I guide them in planning to do the difficult things because those things are not going away. Most importantly, I encourage them to be kind to themselves and to look for blessings amid the pain.

Read the entire post on AlzAuthors:

https://alzauthors.com/2021/12/14/labena-fleming-c…ver-to-caregiver/ 

Rayna Neises, author of No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season

My heart was touched as I read Rayna Neises' memoir/caregiver guide, No Regrets; Hope for Your Caregiving Season. She allowed her book to be posted with AlzAuthors at the end of November. 

Although Rayna lived 200 miles from her dad, she and her family devised a nearly impossible plan to provide 24-hour care while keeping her father in his own home. Read Rayna's book and be inspired, knowing you are not alone in your journey.

Rayna writes:

After burying my dad in 2018 I reflected on the season of caring for him in his home with family members, paid caregivers and myself providing 24-hour care for the last 4.5 years of his life and realized I was honored, proud and thankful that I walked him all the way home, still lived a life that I loved, and had no regrets.

Read the entire post: https://alzauthors.com/2021/11/23/rayna-neises-caregiver-guide-no-regrets/

Meet Laurette Klier, author of Nana’s Books; Sit With Me At Sundown, and Other Nostalgic Picture and Literature Books for Seniors

A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Laurette Klier and discovering her wonderful book series called Nana’s Books. One example is Sit With Me At Sundown, Nostalgic Poetry for the Young at Heart. The series includes over a dozen other nostalgic picture and literature books for seniors. These books would be an excellent addition to any senior living community, adult day care setting, and any home in which an elder is being cared for.

Laurette states:

Confounded by the lack of quality reading materials at my mother-in-law’s long-term care facility, I scoured the internet for something stimulating and enjoyable to share with her on visits. It had become increasingly difficult to engage ‘Nana’ who was living with Lewy Body dementia.

A lifelong reader of the Boston Globe and an avid bridge player, word searches and coloring books fell flat with Nana.

Determined to find something to bring in a little joy, and to spark a conversation, I decided to try my hand at creating books of my own...I completed Sit with Me at Sundown, Nostalgic Poetry for the Young at Heart (Life’s Journeys) in a few weeks and was thrilled with the book. So was Nana and the people who lived in her memory care unit.

Read Laurette's featured post on AlzAuthors by clicking the link below: 

https://alzauthors.com/2021/11/09/alzauthors-com-2021-11-10-laurette-klier/

You'll Laugh and Cry When You Read Ellen Rittberg's Humorous Caregiver Guide: Why Is Grandma Naked?

 Dear Friends,

This week on AlzAuthors.com, elder law attorney, Ellen Rittberg, shares her humorous caregiver guide: Why Is Grandma Naked?

Ellen writes:

I discovered that there were next-to-no humorous how-to books for caregivers whose parents have dementia, which led to my writing Why is Grandma Naked? Caring for Your Aging Parent. It’s my hope that by sharing what worked for me, the book can help other caregivers and lighten their load, so to speak... What I didn’t understand until after the fact was that being a caregiver for a beloved parent with dementia is like dementia: it‘s irreversible and life-transforming. And whenever I think of Mom, I still smile.

Read the entire post: 

https://alzauthors.com/2021/10/26/ellen-rittberg-why-is-grandma-naked/

AlzAuthor, Alex Winstanley, Creates Children’s Book "My Grandma Has Dementia" From Personal Experience

About a year ago, I became acquainted with this delightful children's book by Alex Winstanley, My Grandma Has Dementia. Alex wrote this book based on his own experiences with his grandma. When reaching out to him, he was thrilled to write a post for AlzAuthors.com. I've had the pleasure to speak with him via Zoom. I'd describe him as a heartfelt dynamo. He is creating a series of books to help children understand health conditions as diverse as depression, cerebral palsy and cancer. This book is a must-read for any family needing a resource to explain changes that may be happening with a beloved grandparent.

 

Alex writes:
"This book, and the book series, exists to start the conversation for children and young people about health conditions that are often treated as a taboo subject. As a former teacher, I think it is imperative that children and young people start these conversations from as young an age as possible."

 

Read the entire post here!

Read Granny Needs My Help, by Deborah Mills, to Assist Children Struggling to Understand Alzheimer’s

Granny Needs My Help by Deborah L. Mills is a beautiful, touching book for children. I feel so lucky to have connected with this author through AlzAuthors.com.

Please read this book with a child who is wondering about changes in a grandparent. This is such a gentle and positive explanation of the Alzheimer's process.

Deborah writes:

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not easy subjects to talk about because of the stigma and embarrassment society tries to attach to them. It makes this book that much more of a must read. Let this book spark conversation. Through fun full-color illustrations and a heartfelt child friendly story Granny Needs My Help: A Child’s Look at Dementia and Alzheimer’s helps bridge the gap between child and adult.
 

Read the entire post on AlzAuthors now!

All Caregivers Benefit from Debra Tann’s New Guide, The Race of Dementia

I'm honored to connect with Debra Tann through her groundbreaking book, The Race of Dementia. This book examines the disparity of race and poverty as they relate to the health care system and a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Debra writes:
The title of the book serves as a double entendre. First, there is a race for a cure.  Second, there is shrouding evidence that suggest Blacks and Latinos will make up nearly 40% of the 8.4 million American families affected by Alzheimer’s. Hence, it is literally The Race of Dementia.

Thank you for writing for AlzAuthors, Debra.

Read the entire post:  
https://alzauthors.com/2021/07/20/debra-tann-race-of-dementia/

Karen Malena’s Memoir, A Bushel and a Peck

I've come to know Karen Malena as a gifted author of  both fiction and memoir. This week AlzAuthors features her beautiful new memoir Bushel and a Peck. 

Karen shares: 

Bushel and a Peck was born out of the testimony of the survivor, me, the little girl who’d carried loads of anxiety. It became a healing balm to me to write after losing my parents. Yes, what if their story shed to light the stigma of mental illness and the tragedy of Alzheimer’s through the eyes of the daughter who had adored her parents? What if others could benefit from all of the trials we had gone through—the unconditional healing love?

You're sure to enjoy.

Read the entire post here.

You’ll Love Rebecca Warner’s New Novel, My Dad My Dog

If you happen to be a caregiver to an ailing parent and also a pet-parent to a beloved, aging dog, I highly recommend you read Rebecca Warner's tender new novel, My Dad My Dog.

 

In her post on AlzAuthors.com Rebecca shares:

This is a work of fiction because my dad, who had Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes, never lived with me.  Dad lived in a wonderful assisted living facility where he received exceptional care. I visited him every day, year in and year out, unless completely snowed-in or traveling. I took him to every doctor’s appointment and was involved in every decision about medical procedures, treatments, medications and therapy. Yes, as his Health Care Surrogate I had duties; but as his daughter, I acted out of pure love.


Please read her entire post by clicking here.

Fran Tilton Shelton Shares Her Story in Her Memoir, "No Winter Lasts Forever"

I found Fran Tilton Shelton's beautiful memoir in the top 100 on Amazon. If you are a spouse caregiver, this is a must read. Fran honors her husband, while revealing blunt honesty about his progression into Alzheimer's. 

Please join AlzAuthors in welcoming Fran Tilton Shelton, author of No Winter Lasts Forever; a memoir of loving Bob and loathing Alzheimer's.

 

Fran shares:

The journey with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s is grueling and all consuming-- physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. I quickly recognized that I wanted people to not only know about this unique journey and I also wanted people to know and remember aspects of Bob in his prime.

You may read the entire post here.

Judith Shone Writes Her Second Memoir About Caring for Her Love in "Did you Hide the Cookies?"

Please join me in welcoming back this week's featured AlzAuthor, Judith Shone,  with her second book, Did You Hide the Cookies?  The honesty Judith conveys in both books bring such comfort to all who are living the spouse/caregiver life.

 

Judith shares about her love:

I‘ve been his caregiver, his teacher, his mother, his protector, his friend, his cook, his housekeeper, his manager, his coach, his taxi driver, his secretary and confidant, and his partner.  I have felt sorrow and joy, desperation and relief, anger and love, all related to both our behaviours, our responses and the challenges we have passed through together.

You may read the entire post here.

Powerful Memoir by Deborah J. Cohan "Welcome to Wherever We Are" Deals with Emotional and Verbal Abuse and Caregiving for a Loved One with Dementia

I was so excited to connect with this week's featured AlzAuthor, Deborah J. Cohan, a professor of sociology and former counselor, author of the memoir Welcome to Wherever We Are, subtitled A Memoir of Family Caregiving and Redemption. Her book addresses difficult, yet important topics. 

Deborah writes: 

The book is a braided memoir detailing my role as a caregiver for my father who had been emotionally and verbally abusive to my mother and to me. So, really, I was writing about two weighty experiences that feel riddled with confusion---domestic violence and caregiving for a loved one with dementia. Both topics---abuse and dementia---are intense because they each carry so much stigma, shame, secrecy, and silence. The book is a meditation on what we hold onto, what we let go, how we remember others and how we’re remembered.

You may read the entire post on AlzAuthors.com by clicking here.

Garland Creighton Provides a Transparent Glimpse Into Fears and Triumphs of Alzheimer’s Caregiving

I'm so thankful to have encountered Garland Creighton and his memoir of caregiving for both parents. AlzAuthors features Coming Alongside this week.

Garland writes: 

Caregiving is not a spectator sport, you have to roll up your sleeves and get dirty - - - which is why I wrote Coming Alongside. It’s a transparent, engaging, and humorous glimpse into the joy, trials, and triumphs of life as a caregiver. The book provides perspective for the uninitiated and a front row seat for the unfamiliar.

You may read the entire post here. 

You'll love LaBena Fleming’s Touching Memoir, I Love You Always

I'm so thrilled to find this lovely book by a Cleveland, Ohio author, LaBena Fleming; I Love You Always. If you are a daughter caring for a mother, this is a detailed look at the progression of Alzheimer's and also gives honest insights into the emotions of the daughter-caregiver. I'm so pleased to meet you, LaBena. 

LaBena writes: 
My book tells the story of a woman who, although diagnosed with dementia, was determined to live until the age of ninety.  It is also a love story, showing what we can accomplish when we step outside of ourselves and work together for what’s in the best interest of our loved ones.  It serves as a resource, sharing valuable caregiver tips as well as other practical lessons learned along the way.  In addition, it is a message of faith.  I can’t imagine any journey that is more harrowing than that of dementia, and I don’t know how people navigate their way through it without a strong anchor.  My anchor was God.  Words of encouragement, faith, and hope are dispersed throughout the book by the inclusion of favored scriptures.

You may read the entire post here.