Voices of Alzheimer's: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Voices Of series) [Paperback]

The Healing Project (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2007 | Series: Voices Of series (Book 2)

Written by those touched by the disease, this collection of more than 50 stories recounted by the spouses, victims, caregivers, friends, and family members provides a look at their journeys and serve as a companion to those currently struggling to cope with Alzheimer’s. The contributors write with candor, clarity, and humor about their experiences with the disease, providing insight and strategies for living with the Alzheimer’s patient and sharing about the positive effect the experience can have on those affected. These essays illustrate the indomitable strength of spirit of those whose lives are irrevocably changed in the face of heart-wrenching adversity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This poignant, insightful, distinctive, and informative book is highly recommended."  —Library Journal, starred review

"Will help to dispel myths about Alzheimer’s and help people who have no experience with the disease."  —The Niagara Gazette

About the Author

The Healing Project is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2005 and dedicated to creating a community of support for those challenged with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Product Details

• Paperback: 385 pages
• Publisher: LaChance Publishing LLC (May 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934184012
• ISBN-13: 978-1934184011
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living Memories, July 12, 2008

By 

A House of Readers "Sharon Rey-Barreau" (Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voices of Alzheimer's: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Voices Of series) (Paperback)

As with all books in the Healing Place series, Voices of Alzheimer's gift is its ability to distill the many facets of a disease into poignant and memorable short essays. I agree that this is not a feel-good, upbeat book full of happy endings. However...readers do hear from families who, while changed forever by alzheimer's, still felt that they did the best they could under the circumstances. Many writers describe the peace that they were able to achieve about their own family member's condition, even in the midst of heartbreak.

It is particularly relevant that we hear repeatedly who each writer's special person IS: a beloved wife, a father who loved to garden, an immigrant from Yugoslavia, a grandpa who loved to give out dollar bills. Every individual with AD lived a life experience before it which is worth the time to know. With AD in particular it can be reassuring to family members that their loved one's life has significance, and what has made that person so special to them can never disappear. Negative behaviors have to be seen for what they are: a manifestation of the disease, not the deliberate actions of a difficult person. For exhausted caregivers or overwhelmed clinical staff, this is an important distinction.

Ideas for memory aids, safety, and keeping the individual with Alzheimer's connected with family are found throughout. The importance of respite care and the challenge of finding it are discussed, since family caregivers can become locked into daily routines, unable to step away and take care of themselves, increasing their own health risk over time.

The books that I have seen in this series do include brief discussions about medications and research, but the wide range of incredibly personal family stories take center stage. In the case of AD this means it may be appropriate for different caregivers at different times, depending on their loved one's AD stage and their own grief process.

This book is highly recommended for anyone working in AD areas, including assisted living, residential care, clinical, and community day care settings. An index of resources includes support groups, fundraising, research, sources of financial help, and counseling services. It should be noted that the listed Alzheimer's Association ([...]) and many other groups have message boards on the web where caregivers can exchange ideas and information. Registration may be necessary at some sites but they are free of charge and can be accessed 24/7.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, profoundly moving book, November 2, 2007

By 

Learning All The Time "It's Never Too Late to... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Voices of Alzheimer's: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Voices Of series) (Paperback)

I purchased this book for the three pages written by Kate Mulgrew (a.k.a. Captain Janeway :), but after I read her provocative pages I started the book from the beginning and just couldn't put it down. This book is packed with honest, jarring anecdotes that literally take your breath away.

This is a beautiful book, but it is absolutely heartbreaking. I'm not sure that it is the kind of book you would give to someone who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, although, on the other hand, perhaps it could spur that person to take care of living wills and other business while they are still able to make rational decisions.

Reading this book could have immeasurable value to caregivers, as they may feel less isolated and more connected, empowered. And I think it would be an excellent book for anyone who is trying to understand the impact of Alzheimer's on caregivers and families.

The book also works as an advocacy piece -- I can't imagine anyone reading this book without feeling motivated to DO something -- donate money, volunteer, sponsor a friend going on an Alzheimer's walk, work for a cure, etcetera.

However, this really is not a hopeful book. I know it says something important and perhaps hopeful about the human spirit, that ordinary people watch those they love be destroyed by this disease, that they care for them, suffer with them, perform profound acts of love and compassion, and eventually come out on the other side. But this book makes it pretty clear that those suffering from Alzheimer's, at this point in time, are not going to experience miracle cures and that the disease must run its dreadful course.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Start, September 25, 2007

By 

Shelby Staples - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voices of Alzheimer's: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Voices Of series) (Paperback)

Had submitted an article of my own for this anthology and had to withdraw it for reasons which had nothing to do with this publication. This is an EXCELLENT publication and I am so very happy for the publishers that they decided to go for such a worthwhile effort. Wonderful stories, etc - great source of information from the mouths of those most closely informed by this disease. I highly recommend this book, and the coming series, to anyone having a family member with one of these diseases, or caring in general about others and wanting to understand as much as possible. Shelby Staples