Alzheimer's Disease Memoirs

Alzheimer's Disease Memoirs
Author: Pramod K Nayar
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2021-12-06
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 981166112X

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.

Come Back Early Today

Come Back Early Today
Author: Marie Marley
Publisher:
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2011
Genre: Alzheimer's disease
ISBN: 9780983570615

"'In the world of Alzheimer's memoirs, a rarity-- not, strictly speaking, a 'happy ending,' but a different tale from the usual bleak, grinding, downward spiral into unalloyed misery'"--Cover p. 4.

UnMasking Alzheimer's: The Memories Behind the Masks

UnMasking Alzheimer's: The Memories Behind the Masks
Author: Cynthia Huling Hummel
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 98
Release: 2017-09-03
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1387202189

"UnMasking Alzheimer's: The Memories Behind the Masks" is a collection of photographs of the thirty-six masks created by Alzheimer's advocate and artist, Cynthia Huling Hummel along with her reflections on the challenges and hopes of living well with an AD diagnosis.

Inside the Dementia Epidemic

Inside the Dementia Epidemic
Author: Martha Stettinius
Publisher: Dundee-Lakemont Press
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2012-07-23
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0984932623

One in 8 people over age 65 has Alzheimer's disease, and nearly fifty percent of those over age 85. With the passion of a committed daughter and the fervor of a tireless reporter, Martha Stettinius weaves a compelling story of her long journey caregiving for her demented mother with a broad exploration of the causes of dementia, means of treating it, and hopes for preventing it. Her greatest gift to readers is that of optimism that caregiving can deepen love, that dementia can be fought, and that families can be strengthened. Her book is appealing, enlightening, and inspiring. Includes appendices on dementia research; source notes; resources for caregivers; and an index.

The Language of Time

The Language of Time
Author: Ashley Bendiksen
Publisher:
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2020-06-12
Genre:
ISBN:

"My mother developed Alzheimer's at just 48. It didn't make any sense. Worse, there was no cure and no timeline. I became a caregiver overnight, endlessly aware of a heartbreaking new reality - tomorrow was no longer guaranteed. I needed to somehow slow down time, to find answers, to create a miracle (while still managing my own life as a woman in my 20s). At the very least, I had to do my best to capture it all before time ran out - archiving memories and learning all I could about courage, how to live, and how to love." Combining journal entries with transcribed conversations and emotive storytelling, The Language of Time is a real and honest expression of one daughter's sudden and unplanned journey as caregiver. It's a story of hope, strength, courage, and the unbreakable bond between a daughter and her mom. It's a story of womanhood, without the guidance of a mother. And it's a poignant reminder of the ever-passing moments of time with those we love. The Language of Time is a breakthrough memoir that will be appreciated by those who have been touched by caregiving, Alzheimer's/dementia, terminal illness, hospice, or loss of a parent. It shines a light on the unique circumstances of early onset Alzheimer's, and fulfilling the role of caregiver as a young adult. It's also filled with stories of facing life's challenges, love, family, gratitude, personal growth, and self-discovery.

Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade

Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade
Author: Gary Chapman
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Total Pages: 275
Release: 2016-09-16
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 0802494412

Across America and around the world, the five love languages have revitalized relationships and saved marriages from the brink of disaster. Can they also help individuals, couples, and families cope with the devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD)? Coauthors Chapman, Shaw, and Barr give a resounding yes. Their innovative application of the five love languages creates an entirely new way to touch the lives of the five million Americans who have Alzheimer’s, as well as their fifteen million caregivers. At its heart, this book is about how love gently lifts a corner of dementia’s dark curtain to cultivate an emotional connection amid memory loss. This collaborative, groundbreaking work between a healthcare professional, caregiver, and relationship expert will: Provide an overview of the love languages and Alzheimer’s disease, correlate the love languages with the developments of the stages of AD, discuss how both the caregiver and care receiver can apply the love languages, address the challenges and stresses of the caregiver journey, offer personal stories and case studies about maintaining emotional intimacy amidst AD. Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade is heartfelt and easy to apply, providing gentle, focused help for those feeling overwhelmed by the relational toll of Alzheimer’s. Its principles have already helped hundreds of families, and it can help yours, too.

Ma is Back!

Ma is Back!
Author: Brad Pitman
Publisher: Ican Limited
Total Pages: 125
Release: 2010-01-01
Genre: Alzheimer's disease
ISBN: 9780983003106

Memoir of a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the subsequent restoration of memory resulting from care above and beyond the accepted norms.

Tangles

Tangles
Author: Sarah Leavitt
Publisher: Skyhorse
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2012-05-01
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 9781616086398

In this powerful memoir the the LA Times calls “moving, rigorous, and heartbreaking," Sarah Leavitt reveals how Alzheimer’s disease transformed her mother, Midge, and her family forever. In spare blackand- white drawings and clear, candid prose, Sarah shares her family’s journey through a harrowing range of emotions—shock, denial, hope, anger, frustration—all the while learning to cope, and managing to find moments of happiness. Midge, a Harvard educated intellectual, struggles to comprehend the simplest words; Sarah’s father, Rob, slowly adapts to his new role as full-time caretaker, but still finds time for wordplay and poetry with his wife; Sarah and her sister Hannah argue, laugh, and grieve together as they join forces to help Midge. Tangles confronts the complexity of Alzheimer’s disease, and ultimately releases a knot of memories and dreams to reveal a bond between a mother and a daughter that will never come apart.

Where Is Jack? Memoirs of an Alzheimer's Caregiver

Where Is Jack? Memoirs of an Alzheimer's Caregiver
Author: Sarah Burakoff
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 146
Release: 2006-11-01
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1430303395

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.

The Poetics and Politics of Alzheimer’s Disease Life-Writing

The Poetics and Politics of Alzheimer’s Disease Life-Writing
Author: Martina Zimmermann
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2017-06-07
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 3319443887

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This is the first book-length exploration of the thoughts and experiences expressed by dementia patients in published narratives over the last thirty years. It contrasts third-person caregiver and first-person patient accounts from different languages and a range of media, focusing on the poetical and political questions these narratives raise: what images do narrators appropriate; what narrative plot do they adapt; and how do they draw on established strategies of life-writing. It also analyses how these accounts engage with the culturally dominant Alzheimer’s narrative that centres on dependence and vulnerability, and addresses how they relate to discourses of gender and aging. Linking literary scholarship to the medico-scientific understanding of dementia as a neurodegenerative condition, this book argues that, first, patients’ articulations must be made central to dementia discourse; and second, committed alleviation of caregiver burden through social support systems and altered healthcare policies requires significantly altered views about aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s patients.