Recommended Reading Archives - Page 3 of 8

“Blue Hydrangeas” by Marianne Sciucco :book review

“Blue Hydrangeas” is a romance novel. A love story about Jack and Sara, a couple who shared their life for more than 45 years before Sara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and for the last decade since.

Sara has forgotten many things as Alzheimer’s erases her memory, but she hasn’t forgotten Jack or Blue Hydrangeas.

Blue Hydrangeas, is the name of their summer home on Cape Cod, once a flourishing Bed and Breakfast through lazy summer months. Now, Sara still prepares for those seasonal guests, cleaning and baking and wondering when the first visitors will arrive.

She searches the window hourly for favorite visitors from years gone by. Sara has forgotten that accept for the two of them, Sara and Jack, Blue Hydrangeas sits Silent and alone now–and in some disrepair.

Sara is happy, working and waiting, but Jack is torn. His feelings are a whirlwind spinning him dizzy.

He loves Sara more than anything and he wants to take care of her. Yet their son insists that Sara should be in a nursing home with professional care.

Their son, David, hates the thought of tearing Jack and Sara apart, yet he can see no other way to solve their dilemma.

“Mom would be better off in a nursing home, Dad.” David struggles to make his father see-the-light. “And you need rest, yourself. What about your heart… dad?” David reminds Jack of his recent hospitalization for heart problems and dire warning to take care of himself, too. Frankly, David thinks his father accepts too little respite-care as it is.

Jack remembers his promise to Sara. He hasn’t forgotten that he gave a solemn oath to never leave her, nor lock her away simply because she is ill. Jack meant that vow and intends to keep it now despite any heart problems.

He has choices to make…decisions about Sara, himself and the Blue Hydrangeas . I’m certain you’ll enjoy this book and learning how Jack handles this situation as much as I did. Read more…

Author: Marianne Sciucco Studied the craft of writing as an English major at the University of Massachusetts at Boston and worked for a time as a newspaper writer. She later became a nurse. In 2002, she put the two together and began writing stories about the intricate lives of people struggling with health and family issues. When not writing, she works as a campus nurse in a community college in New York’s Hudson Valley. You will find Marianne at: MarianneSciucco.blogspot.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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Book Review – “Untethered: A Caregiver’s Tale” ~ by Phyllis Peters

11/04Leave a Comment

“Untethered: A Caregiver’s Tale” : Review

As fiction, I was expecting a deep, dark story about the drama in the world of dementia and the sadness in the world of its caregivers. Instead, this novel comes from a happy (and sometimes hysterical) place where life is about living it with joy no matter your age or circumstance.

A delightful tale about the life of Tom Conklin, a middle-aged man who finds his own correct way whether it’s caregiver for a father who denies dementia or a new younger wife in search of “motherhood” for herself and, coincidentally, “fatherhood” for Tom.

Along the way Tom finds his own path to coping with an anxious mom and fractured neighbor with his very own means of escape.

A pleasure to read, this Novel will leave you in a happy place for sure! Sandy

Available at : “UNTETHERED: A Caregiver’s Tale”

As you visit Phyllis’ website and BLOG, you will learn more about her as a person and hear of those who helped inspire this wonderful story. You will also learn that this book is a “gift of love,” from Phyllis, with proceeds going to the Fight Against Alzheimer’s.

About The Author ~ Phyllis Peters is an author and educator who holds degrees in music, literature, and education. Daughter of a writer and newspaper editor, she has always been in love with the word. Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in online publications, magazines, and literary journals such as The Pinch, The Ampersand Review, and Munich Found. Phyllis’ website is: http://www.untetheredcaregiver.com

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Best Books for Children when Loved One has Alzheimers

10/303 Comments

Best Books for Children

List of Best Books for young Children who live or visit with an adult who has Alzheimer’s dementia or other Memory Loss.

As we all know, Children tend to blame themselves for everything. If a loved one has Alzheimer’s they assume it must be their fault. If it isn’t their fault, then they will certainly “catch it.”

I remember when my granddaughter came to me and said, “Nana, I have a stomach ache.” Her very next question was– “…am i going to die?”

To alleviate fears of Alzheimer’s, dementia, catching-it or dying, we only need to talk to the young child. Read to them and be as honest as they can understand. Listen listen to them and discuss their thoughts and fears.

You might be surprised if you really listen to a small child. We often take for granted that they understand everything we say, but often they don’t understand at all. When they see someone who is ill, they assume they will be ill too. They often think they did something wrong that caused a loved ones illness.

A child tends to take responsibility for everything in their life. If you have a lengthy conversation with a small child, you might be surprised to learn how they really feel about some things and situations in their life.

If someone they know or love has Alzheimer’s or dementia this list of Best Books for children will help initiate a conversation and may encourage them to speak up and ask questions about the things they don’t understand.

1. Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants

2. Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator?: An Explanation of Alzheimer’s Disease for Children

3. Green Kitty

4. Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children About Alzheimer’s Disease

5. Allie Learns About Alzheimer’s Disease: A Family Story about Love, Patience, & Acceptance

6. Hugging Grandma: Loving Those with Memory Disorders

7. What’s Happening to Grandpa

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Why Did Grandma Put Her Underwear in the Refrigerator? Striped Shirts and Flowered Pants Garden Flowers Coloring Book Still My Grandma Rudy’s Memory Walk

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“Kisses for Elizabeth” Common Sense Guidelines for Alzheimer’s dementia : Book Review

06/091 Comment

Common Sense Guidelines for Alzheimer’s dementia

KISSES FOR ELIZABETH

by Stephanie Zeman, MSN RN

This Book is a heartwarming sharing of knowledge through life stories about common sense guidelines that are a must-have for the caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s dementia.

A common sense resource, this book will be the place to turn for those having difficulties due to Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Too often the family is feeling confused and angry, unsure about appropriate care. Many behaviors experienced because of dementia create confusion for all.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia behaviors are totally unpredictable and challenging for any caregiver.

Ms Zeman discusses several kinds of dementia, each with its own behavior patterns. These behaviors may vary from one person to the next. She explains how a single person may have more than one type of dementia, creating even more issues with a variety of behaviors. Many behaviors are stressful for the person with dementia and challenging for the caregiver as well.

With this book, Stephanie Zeman shares heartfelt stories of her days as a Geriatric nurse with dementia patients and experiences while educating and training families and professionals about dementia care.

In the very first Chapter we meet Elizabeth. Elizabeth of all those Kisses! This was the sweetest story. I saw reflections of my own mother in “Elizabeth.” Who would think of kisses while someone with dementia threw an angry tantrum? Rather than recite the story, I’ll let you read it for yourself. It’s delightful. I will give a small spoiler.

Elizabeth loved kisses and they had a calming effect on her

Ms Zeman educates others about caring for someone with dementia through 15 Guidelines– She doesn’t have to discuss or explain these guidelines because she shows each one in action through a collection of personal stories. The absolute best way to learn.

She speaks of the dementia patient who no longer wants to shower, whether from fear or irritability— Then she shows how to handle it with common sense for the best result.

Whether it’s personal hygiene, lost inhibitions, sleeplessness, wandering, sundowning, a physical issue, or emotional issue— Stephanie Zeman finds a common sense solution that leaves the caregiver as well as the person with dementia feeling good about themselves. Every solution enhances the quality of life and lowers frustration for the person with dementia.

The 15 Guidelines speak of putting yourself in place of someone else and learning how they feel.

Learning to use tools like common sense, respect, dignity, appropriate activities, communication, independence, feel goods, something important to do, understanding, guided choices, validation of feelings, holistic care, diversion and distraction, and even religion.

I think you get the idea. Each story gives so many guidelines I could never list them all, but it means care and love and kindness and choices for the person with Alzheimer’s and dementia and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for the caregiver as well.

As you read “Kisses for Elizabeth” you will meet Elizabeth along with Jane the Lead Nurse, Stephanie Zeman the Author, Grandma the Singer/Bubble Aficionado, Peggy the Fashionista, Charlie the man with 2 wives (both agreeable of course), Harold the Foreman and Harriet the Seductress and many many others. You’ll get to know and love them all. You’ll be able to put yourself in their place and understand what it’s like to be confused and unsure and to crave choices and things from a time long ago.

As a caregiver, you’ll learn how to help your loved one make their own choices because making choices–

Makes People Feel Good! Giving your loved one choices whenever possible creates pleasure and reduces frustration. When your loved one is happy, you are happy. And I can tell you, this book will make you happy.

It’s been a great pleasure to read and review this book and meet all the wonderful people inside. ~Sandy

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Author: Stephanie Zeman MSN RN is a nurse specialist in dementia care and she has worked with this fragile population for over 20 years. Her experience with dementia patients includes hands on care, the development of several dementia units and the provision of education and training for families and professionals. She was a past chair of the training committee for The Northern Virginia Alzheimer’s Chapter and was a board member for several years. Stephanie has frequently been a speaker for programs and seminars on dementia care and has been a presenter at the National Alzheimer’s Association Educational Conferences.

Website: Kisses for Elizabeth

“KISSES FOR ELIZABETH”

The Best guide to avoid dementia -“The Essential Guide to Avoiding Dementia”

05/16Leave a Comment

The Best guide to avoid dementia

“The Essential Guide to: Avoiding Dementia”

Mary Jordan, whose publications include books on Caring, End of Life and GP Practice Management, in addition to articles in nursing and social care journals and magazines, answers a multitude of questions about dementia in this new book. “The Essential Guide to Avoiding Dementia.”

The information delivered in Ms Jordan’s book couldn’t come at a better time. In the next few decades hundreds of 1,000’s of baby-boomers will be facing decisions about dementia for themselves or a family member.

Although some people associate Alzheimer’s with dementia, most don’t realize that Alzheimer’s is only one of 60 different kinds of dementia. As an explanation, Ms Jordan reminds us, “It is possible to have dementia, but not have Alzheimers; but it is not possible to have Alzheimer’s and not have Dementia.”

In this book Mary Jordan explains each kind of dementia and many of it’s causes and symtoms as well as things to do to lower your own risk of dementia. She talks about personality types; which ones are more prone to dementia, and which existing traits that tend to become more pronounced if one has dementia. She talks about lifestyle choices; alcohol and smoking and the increased risk to dementia that each causes. And she examines Stress and Trauma, Psychological Trauma, mental illness and hearing loss.

I was particularly impressed with Ms Jordan’s authority on hearing loss as my own mother suffered with hearing loss for many years prior to her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Yet, I’d always felt the two were definitely related. Ms Jordan helped me to accept, they probably were, as those with severe hearing loss lose a sense of understanding their environment and that’s exactly what happened to my Mom.

She also discusses the things you can do to lower your risk of having dementia; such keeping a broad social network, staying active physically and mentally. The more you do to expand your presence and life, the more you lower the risks. Variety in a busy life seems significant. Mary Jordan provides Studies and Trials that discuss the brains plasticity and cognitive reserves that may be a factor in lowering risks of dementia. As books title states, Mary Jordan shares a plethora of ways to avoid or lower risks of dementia.

She talks about Exercise, Nutrition, Vitamins and their impact on dementia. She discusses Fats and Cholesterol and tells the reason why we need both for a healthy lifestyle.

Besides the Risk Factors, Remedies and Causes of Dementia, Ms Jordan also gives us an up close look at the brain, itself. She gives a description of the brain and tells it how it works, including an eye- opener about the brain’s elasticity and creating new links to neurons when old links have died from dementia.

I found it fascinating to learn about different behaviors by the person with dementia caused by damage in different areas of the brain. For example: In front-temporal dementia, damage is focused in the front brain. With this dementia, only personality or behavior issues occur in the beginning– memory problems don’t become obvious till much later. Each area of the brain affected, causes it’s own unique behaviors. More evidence that the person with dementia has little control of his own behavior.

Also included is a storehouse of Resources. Since Mary Jordan is from the UK, many are located in that area. She also has an Outstanding Glossary: Including all things related to dementia.

This book is a must-have for everyone because it is surely an Encyclopedia of dementia, an epidemic we all face in the coming years.

Essential Guide to Avoiding Dementia

Author: Mary Jordan works for a national dementia charity and has had considerable experience caring for elderly relatives and friends who have suffered from dementia. Previously, she worked in the NHS for 9 years. Earlier publications include books on Caring, End of Life and on GP Practice Management in addition to articles in nursing and social journals and magazines. Find her at: @HHealthBooks on Twitter.

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