Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth Edition (NEW COVER) [Paperback]

Jolene Brackey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1557534624 | ISBN-13: 978-1557534620 | Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Edition: 4

Jolene Brackey has a vision. A vision that will soon look beyond the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and focus more of our energy on creating moments of joy. When a person has short-term memory loss, his life is made up of moments. But if you think about it, our memory is made up of moments, too. We are not able to create a perfectly wonderful day with someone who has dementia, but it is absolutely attainable to create a perfectly wonderful moment; a moment that puts a smile on their face, a twinkle in their eye, or triggers a memory. Five minutes later, they won't remember what you did or said, but the feeling you left them with will linger.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jolene Brackey began her career as an interior designer after graduating from Iowa State University. But she soon realized that she derived great joy from helping people improve the interiors of their lives, rather than their homes. When she left her interior design job, the first job available was in an Alzheimer' special care unit as an activity director. She didn't know what Alzheimer's was but she knew she liked older people. Before long, she realized that God had given her a gift. She found ways to create positive outcomes and moments of joy for the individuals with the disease, their loved ones, and professional caregivers. Eager to share her practical solutions and insights, Jolene began speaking at educational seminars. Her message of hope, encouragement-along with generous helpings of humor-was warmly embraced by family members and professional caregivers alike. So, she established a business, Enhanced Moments, to help guide people through the Alzheimer's journey. Jolene and her husband, Troy, live in Polson, Montana with their children Sidney, Taylor, and Keegan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Purdue University Press; 4 edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557534624
• ISBN-13: 978-1557534620
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Aging Parents

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short & Simple, June 4, 2008

By 

Cara (Severn, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth Edition (NEW COVER) (Paperback)

Creating Moments...was recommended to me by Amy, a Nurse Practitioner of my Fathers. She would ask whenever she'd see me "Did you order the book yet?" & between being a master of procrastination & being the sole care taker of my Dad, even my best intentions never seems to come full circle. One night my phone rang & it was Amy asking again if I ordered the book, it just happened to be on her mind!!!! Well I immediately went on line and thought "this better be a great book" for all the bothering from her. Giving it 5 stars barely does it justice but thats the highest the scale goes. I love it because one minute you are learning something serious & the next you are laughing so hard at the stories Jolene has sprinkled through out the book. Order it (when you get a chance!) Care takers and family members alike will enjoy and be informed. Take Amy's word for it!! :-)

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crerating Moments of Joy, October 3, 2007

By 

Bernadette Bierley (Keller, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth Edition (NEW COVER) (Paperback)

This is the best book I've read that helps caregivers understand how important it is to enter the world of the Alzheimer's patient and gives concrete examples of how that can be accomplished. It helps us understand the serious reality of this disease, but offers hope that we can bring joyful moments to our loved ones in the remaining time we have with them.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A ray of sunshine and hope, September 25, 2007

By 

gg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers, Fourth Edition (NEW COVER) (Paperback)

Through tears of joy I read the first pages of "Creating Moments of Joy", a journal of hope and joy. This is a must read for families who have loved ones with Alzheimers. Jolene gives us such sensible answers about the mysteries of this disease and helps us to realize where our Alzheimer patients are coming from and how we can calm their fears and give them mements of joy. This is such a confusing illness to the patient and the caregivers, and the author provides concrete examples and illustrations of how to make precious memories and moments of joy for the entire family. Thank you so much for such a wonderful book.....the best I have read of this subject.