"Where's my shoes?" My Father's Walk Through Alzheimer's [Hardcover]

Brenda Avadian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

According to the Alzheimer's Association: Over 4 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer's disease -- the 4th leading cause of death. 10% of people aged 65 to 85 have Alzheimer's. 50% of people aged 85 and older have the disease.

To help increase awareness about this devastating illness -- which affects an estimated 10 million families in the United States each year -- Brenda Avadian has written the heartfelt and uplifting story of her commitment to care for her father as the grip of Alzheimer's gradually takes control of his life.

"Where's my shoes?" is a poignant and sometimes humorous journey that will give comfort to caregivers of dementia patients and the elderly. It was designed to increase the caregivers' strengths, insights and awareness of their options -- and to reduce the feelings of loneliness that can overwhelm the families involved. It will inspire those who are currently caring for Alzheimer's patients, and help to answer the many questions of those about to take on the responsibility.

The book details specific suggestions for Alzheimer's caregivers, and confronts the issues and emotions all caregivers face: uncertainty, frustration, guilt, support groups, financial matters, family members, medical and health needs, adult day care, sexuality, and full-time nursing, among others.Proceeds from book sales will be donated to individuals, groups, and organizations who aid those with Alzheimer's and their families.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A loving daughter's sad but heartfelt memories and day-by-day experiences of her dad's decline from the debilitation of Alzheimer's. A most helpful aid for all caregivers and a must read for all students in training." -- Marlys Meckler, Speech Pathologist, Team Member, Center for Aging Research and Evaluation

"A must read for everyone exploring the peaks and valleys of how one family deals with this debilitating disease." -- Roberta Widmer, Administrator, SunPlus Adult Day Care Center

"A uniquely personal touch is what sets this book apart. The author gives us insight into her family dynamics and personal struggles in managing her father's declining health, while maintaining his dignity and her own sense of self. This tender book encompasses much more than a family's confrontation with Alzheimer's...it provides useful information for others who are traveling down this dreadful road..." -- Roland Jacobs, MD, Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

"An uplifting book written with honesty and humor. A must read for families and caregivers who deal with this insidious disease, and an inspiring journal that helps us better understand the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's and the tribulations family members face." -- Lois Erisey Poole, Syndicated Columnist

"Brenda's book opened my eyes and heart to the pain and family suffering that is Alzheimer's. I'm a better lawyer for having read Brenda's account; but more importantly, I'm a better human being. Absolute must reading for anyone who loves, lives with, laughs or cries with, cares about, or cares for an aging person. For caregivers and professionals alike." -- Cynthia R. Pollock, Elder Law Attorney

"Had Ms. Avadian's book been available during the six years I cared for my wife with Alzheimer's, I could have saved myself the many heartaches...fascinating reading for anyone." -- Jonathan Schulkin, Caregiver

"It is a rare book that probes, as this does, the range and depth of emotions experienced by caregivers of Alzheimer's victims. This pioneering book should encourage other caregivers to share rather than hide their own personal trauma. The author's frank and graphic account of her journey with her father enables us to gain a clearer picture of the tragedies and triumphs of such a journey..." -- Lew Jurey, Aerospace Engineering Consultant

"What's it like to have to care for an aging parent who develops Alzheimer's? Brenda Avadian can tell you, chapter and verse, in her new book. This is the true-life, nonfiction tale that carries the reader on a painful, but sometimes humorous, journey through the state of deteriorating mental capacity, plus many mindless activities out-of-sync with reality and remembrance... The documented, narrative style pulls the reader through the weeks and months of the ordeal. In addition, 10 important suggestions are offered for Alzheimer's caregivers." -- Valley Press Newspaper, January 1999

"Wonderful book! It poignantly describes the trials and tribulations of coping with a loved one with a disease that tears apart the very fabric that makes us human. Will be of comfort to caregivers as well as anyone with a friend or loved one with Alzheimer's." -- Lawrence Weinberg, MPH, MD Neurology

About the Author

Author, Brenda Avadian, M.A., has devoted her personal and professional life to helping others: first while teaching at three universities, then as a corporate trainer and communications, career and management consultant. Now with the release of her fifth book she is not only helping families cope with the devastating effects of Alzheimer's, but is also helping to directly fight the disease... Proceeds from her book sales will be donated to individuals, groups, and organizations who aid those with Alzheimer's and their families.

Ms. Avadian has a M.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has taught at three universities, and worked with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works among other companies. She co-designed and facilitated Lockheed's executive development program at the University of Southern California, and is currently at work on her sixth book also about Alzheimer's.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: North Star (Lancaster, CA) (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963275216
• ISBN-13: 978-0963275219
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,687,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I had always been a speaker until I was invited to collaborate on a book with 29 authors as a Wingspread Scholar.

The "writing bug" bit and two decades later, I'm working on my 9th book--except this has been the longest work in progress--40 years in the making--and let's hope I can get it finished by the end of 2011.

The generic topic is letting go of clutter. Considering caregivers are increasingly tasked with clearing parents' homes of accumulated life possessions, this should be a timely topic--assuming I can finish writing it. Share your clutter stories with me by visiting the "About us" page at TheCaregiversVoice.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful chronicle, June 6, 2003

By 

Brenda Parris Sibley (Decatur, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Where's my shoes?" My Father's Walk Through Alzheimer's (Hardcover)

A beautiful story told by a young successful career-woman who put her life on old for a father who has Alzheimer's. Like me, Brenda Avadian was in her thirties when her life was disrupted by having a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In this beautifully written chronicle, Brenda shares that story and also includes a bibliography, helpful Web sites, and a very helpful list of "Ten Suggestions for Caregivers". Wonderful full-page photos of Brenda's father are included in this delightful book that should be on the reading list of every caregiver.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book about a personal perspective on Alzheimer's Disease, January 5, 2011

By 

Val - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Where's My Shoes?": My Father's Walk Through Alzheimer's (Paperback)

This book was a great personal perspective about Alzheimer's disease. I could not put the book down until i finished reading it. Brenda did a fantastic job of describing her father's journey with alzheimer's and how she took on the role of his caregiver. My own father went through similar situations with his parents and i wish i had found this book several years ago to see a caregivers perspective and how to better cope with a familiy member with Alzheimer's disease. This book gives caregivers hope that there resources available and others experiencing the same difficult decsions.
This is an excellent book with helpful suggestions along with a story of inspiration and true courage.

5.0 out of 5 stars It is truly a small world!, December 31, 2010

By 

Babyboomer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Where's My Shoes?": My Father's Walk Through Alzheimer's (Paperback)

I had no idea that a chance meeting of a cousin's cousin at a funeral would create the opportunity to discover this wonderful book, "Where's my shoes?" I have seen almost at a distance a limited number of people who had altzheimers and only had cursory idea what the disease really was. My own personal experience with a close friend fell into disaster when I went to pay visit in the nursing home and the site of me approaching her terrified her. I never went back.

Brenda's book has provided me a much better insite into the disease and has reduced my reluctance to become envolved with someone who has the disease.

The chance meeting introduced me to Brenda Avadian where I was able to fully appreciate her strong sense of humor and finite capacity for compassion and understanding. I can only imagine what a toll it must take on a person actively associated with that terrible disease. I was deeply moved by all the patience demostrated by both she and David throughout the tenure of the disease. The strain of seeing a loved one in a diminishing condition accompanied by indifference by other close family members is beyond belief.

Thank you Brenda for chronicling your experience in a way the rest of us can understand and appreciate.