Customer Reviews

Dementia Caregivers Share Their Stories: A Support Group in a Book

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This book offers solace and empathy to the caregivers of dementia patients. It presents the hard truths of this frightening disease from the caregiver's view, empathetically and humanely. From the voices of other caregivers who struggled through the course of this disease come very down-to-earth ideas and comfort for the caregivers who follow.
This book also provides a visceral, powerful understanding of caregiving for all doctors, nurses, assisted-living personnel, etc.,who are involved in the treatment of the elderly. For families of the primary caregiver, it can help them understand the feelings and the enormity of what the caregiver is sacrificing. And for caregivers, it can help them find the strength to do what needs to be done.

This book is one of the best books on caregiving and dementia. It gives real life stories and situations that one can really relate to. The authors have done a great job. Each chapter is about a different issue in the life and path of the person with dementia as well as ones about the caregivers. You will see so much of yourself and the person you caregive for in these pages. I gained further insight into what to do in many situations I have encountered as a caregiver. Good stuff and highly recommended.

I find this book to be a very loving and thoughtful account of the stories of caregivers of loved-ones with Dimentia. It has practical advise on how to cope, where to go for support and even a some comical moments told with the utmost of respect! I would recommend this book to anyone who is a caregiver or knows someone who is. It seems we all know someone with this disease.

This book was nice to have around when I needed to talk to someone about how I felt, but felt guilty complaining when the people I was taking care of were going through such a difficult time. It was a very helpful companion and good to see what others have gone through and tried. I recommend it if you find yourself in the same unfortunate situation as I did.

This is a fantastic book. It is a collection of anecdotes by caregivers, sometimes spouses, sometimes children, of people suffering from dementia (of various causes: Alzheimer's, Lewy Body, Vascular Dementia, MID, Pick's), and was put together by two caregivers themselves.

It's organised chronologically by the various stages of dementia, from early memory loss and confusion, through behavioural changes, physical and emotional support systems, in-home and nursing home care, to death and grieving.

Between each of the anecdotes, which are plainly and heartbreakingly told, the editors summarise, analyse, and support. Their motto is repeated throughout - get help early and often. For example, male caregivers are less likely to seek help unless it's somehow tied to education and information gathering. They also find it harder to express themselves or break down, and both are essential components of getting through the tragedy of watching someone you love "die" while still living. Other oft repeated advice: have patience, get enough rest and exercise, keep living your own life, and most importantly, give yourself a break.

One of the caregivers said she'd remind herself every time she'd drive to the nursing home to see her husband, that today was going to be the best day she would have with him. Of course, this is because dementia only gets worse, it's a diminishing disease, and the only end is worsening symptoms, and death. And for someone to understand that and take heart in the present is unbelievably strong and inspiring.

By the end of the book, it was like having followed a dozen or more families through ever smaller successes and myriad failures, and the strength and empathy that grows from surviving ordeal. It's a human condition that knowing someone else has gone through something similar gives us succor, and this is a book that does exactly that. I highly recommend it to any dementia caregivers or people interested in the same.

I am a practicing neuropsychologist who frequently works with families who are coping with dementia in their loved ones. This is the best book I've read on caregiving for a loved one with dementia to date. It has a great deal of helpful information about the daily experiences of caring for a loved one with dementia. More importantly, however, it sensitively addresses many of the deeply emotional issues that arise in most situations. For this reason, I bought my mom a copy for her use in coping with my dad's dementing illness and will be recommending this book to my patients as well.

If I could only buy one book to help me get through a family member's dementia this would be it. I have read it, underlined it, quoted it and used it. It is a source of information and comfort. This is a must buy!!

This book is absolutely wonderful. Other books on caregiving were too clinical. This book is like having a wonderful conversation with friends who have been through what you are experiencing. The book offers the perspectives of many different caregivers which was very helpful because the nature of the dementia differs for many people. There were helpful tips and suggestions and words of advice from caregivers and this was presented in short easy to digest segments.

I am a caregiver to my 90yr old blind mother who suffers from vascular dementia as well. This book was written by other caregivers with information , questions and answers that can only be appreciated by those who care with someone with this type of illness. The book covers many types of dementia, whether it be Alzheimers, vascular or others. What is really important is that the book encourages the caregiver to take care of themselves if they are to be able to take care of their patient.

This book was just what I was looking for. Having my husband diagnosed with dementia 6 months ago I have been reading all I can on the subject. This book was great.