Different Minds: Living with Alzheimer Disease [Paperback]

Lorna Drew (Author), Leo Ferrari (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0864924437 | ISBN-13: 978-0864924438 | Publication Date: September 22, 2005 | Edition: No edition

Lorna Drew thought her partner was carrying his absent-minded professor status too far, until, two years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. A thoughtful memoir and a wide-ranging handbook, Different Minds is an illuminating side-by-side account of life with Alzheimer Disease. Prepared with the assistance of the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, it offers practical advice on everything from reorganizing finances to dealing with emotions. In intimate journal entries, Lorna expresses how hard she finds being both partner and caregiver, while Leo shares knowledge gathered from experience and extensive reading. His vivid descriptions of how a person fighting Alzheimer Disease interprets his strange new world are invaluable to people newly diagnosed with this disease and to their loved ones and caregivers. Featuring a detailed bibliography, a list of useful Web sites and helpful suggestions like making checklists, how to stay active or where to look for support, Different Minds is a unique guide to coping with mutual distress while enjoying life together.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In 2003, Lorna Drew and Leo Ferrari made a shocking discovery. Leo wasn’t just an absent-minded professor; he had Alzheimer Disease. In Different Minds, Lorna describes her fluctuating emotional journey and outlines her coping strategies, while Leo vividly — and humorously — expresses what AD feels like from the inside.

About the Author

Following a 20-year career as a nurse, Lorna Drew changed directions and became a writer and lecturer. She teaches at St. Thomas University in Fredericton.

Born in Australia, Leo Ferrari is a retired scientist, philosophy professor, and world-renowned authority on St. Augustine. He is the author of numerous scholarly books and concordances, two collections of poetry, and many newspaper features. He has taught at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, where he was appointed Professor Emeritus in 1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Goose Lane Editions; No edition edition (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864924437
• ISBN-13: 978-0864924438
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,440,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Gentle entry for the naieve, March 29, 2007

By 

John R. Sennett "health4all" (Oroville, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Different Minds: Living with Alzheimer Disease (Paperback)

I partly ordered this book because we had heard good reviews elsewhere.
The mother of my wife has had Alzheimer's for likely 6 years. We have come to understand her through self-awareness and open-mindedness rather than through resources such as this.

We found the book hedged around the subject and issues and never really prepared the reader for some of the more significant issues which arise for many families. It did address patient denial, which is important. More dramatically, and as much of importance is family and spouse denial, which unintentionally often leads to emotional and spiritual abuse and heightened stress for someone suffering from a stress sensitive illness.

The book is an easy read. We both read it in one short sitting. We could sum up the points quickly and briefly. Better for someone who has a beginning and mild interest in the possibility and likelihood of themselves or their parent eventually succumbing to this illness. Not helpful to someone having to cope with someone close to them who has Alzheimer's.

For us, more worth $4 than what we paid for it.