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“While I Still Can!” : Book Review

One Man’s Journey Through Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, Rick Phelps’ writes about and his diagnosis in his mid 50’s and the years since “WHILE I STILL CAN” by Rick Phelps

Rare is the chance to experience the nightmare of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease from the perspective of the patient coping with it everyday.

In this book, Rick Phelps, the founder of “Memory People,” an online Alzheimer’s and memory impairment support and awareness group for people with dementia along with their loved ones and caregivers, tells it like it is.

Diagnosed at the age of 57 with this fatal disease, Phelps has decided to lift the veil of silence about Alzheimer’s. Rick Phelps with Joseph Leblanc have created an extraordinary read.

Through the pages of While I Still Can, Phelps affords an uncommon glimpse into the horrific world of memory loss, while at the same time telling his story of love, commitment, faith and courage, in the face of a catastrophic illness.

The new book can be purchased at Amazon, including the ebook for KINDLE. This book is a must read for anyone with Early Onset Alzheimer’s or their families, friends and care-givers.

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While I Still Can…

Rick Phelps, diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, is also an Advocate for others. He’s watched his Facebook page, Memory People, with several hundred readers grow to many thousands.

Caregivers and folks who have Alzheimer’s or other dementias work together. They read, learn and share ways to help themselves and other battle the symptoms of this disease.

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FREE Alzheimer’s Online Support Groups and Forums offer Help –

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Alzheimer’s Online Support Groups

If you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s, Early Onset Alzheimer’s, or another Dementia related disease, if you are an advocate, or want to know more about the diseases that cause dementia, we invite you to join us. “That’s the invitation from “Memory People,” one of several Dementia Support Groups on Facebook.

At Memory People™, you will find care and support in a comfortable and safe environment where patients, caregivers, and all involved come together to share stories, support each other, and bring awareness to those who want to know more about this disease. Memory People™ is a Facebook group founded by Rick Phelps who was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease June of 2010. Rick saw the need for real-time interaction for all those touched by this disease.

Another support group on Facebook for those with dementia is “Forget Me Not,” founded by Harry Urban. To join this group, you can contact Harry Urban or leave a Reply here at the end of this article.

Due to the personal nature of the issues and conversations that accompany Alzheimer’s and dementia, most Forums or Support Groups are PRIVATE. Which means you need leave your name with the group or owner of the group and request to be be added to the group. The advantage of the Private group is that you may speak freely without fear of your words being broadcast publicly.

First, you do need a Facebook account to join.

1. From your Facebook home page, type the name of the Forum you prefer into the search bar. (Memory People, Forget me Not, etc.)

2. Click on the Group name and you will be taken to their home page where you can read about the Group and add your own name.

3. Then click “Join Group” button and an Administrator will add you to the group. If you need further assistance in joining one of these groups, you may also come back here and leave a reply or message and we will be glad to assist you.

If you or a loved one has been touched by Alzheimer’s or another Dementia related disease, we encourage you to join such a group. It is so beneficial to share your thoughts, feelings, doubts and concerns with others who are in the same situation you are.

Memory People/Facebook.com

Rick Phelps – Founder

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FORGET ME NOT /Facebook.com

Harry Urban – Founder

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VASCULAR DEMENTIA / Facebook.com

Norman McNamara – Founder

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If you are considering the creation of a new support Group, there are many books available about the ideas, and works behind a good Support Group

Effective Support Groups The Support Group Manual No Nonsense Support Group Guide The Understanding Your Grief Bereavement Support Group Guiding People Through Grief Taking Steps in Loss and Life: Caregivers: A Support Group’s Stories Group Crisis Support Grief and Loss Support Group Facilitator’s Manual Dementia Caregivers Share Grief Support Group Curriculum

Alzheimer’s or Dementia? A Group is waiting for You

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If you have Alzheimer’s dementia, there’s a group waiting for you

Rick Phelps was diagnosed with EOAD (Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease) a couple years ago. Instead of fading away with this disease, Rick has done something very different. Rick has decided to make videos and record the affects of this disease on him and, perhaps, bring awareness and education about Alzheimer’s and EOAD to other people and their families.

Rick is not a physician nor does he recommend any particular treatment for others. He is a person with Early On-Set Alzheimer’s who is documenting his own progress to bring awareness to others in the hopes of bringing more research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s.

He can be contacted at his Website, “Living with Alzheimer’s.” A website dedicated to the ongoing battle that people fight everyday with Alzheimer’s. The website will chronicle the life of Rick Phelps thru daily videos that he is making to bring more light to the fight against Alzheimer’s. Some of Rick’s Videos can also be viewed at this website: Rick’s Videos You might also Search YouTube for more of Rick’s Daily Videos.

Rick has also begun multiple Private Facebook groups, the main group being Memory People™ along with a few others intended to benefit caregivers and teenagers with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s. Rick believes that Alzheimer’s is not only a patients disease but a caregivers disease as well. He hopes to bring more awareness to Alzheimer’s and Dementia so that more funding will be aimed toward research for better maintenance medication and some day a cure.

If you’re a Caregiver, or a family member, or know someone who has Alzheimer’s or Dementia you might want to join Memory People™ and invite your friend to join as well. This group offers support, comraderie and comfort for all associated with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. This private Group offers a place to share thoughts or ask questions.

If you’d like to join Memory People™ send a Friend Request to Rick Phelps at Facebook. Or–

-You can type “Memory People” into the Facebook search bar. Memory People Group will pop up, and you can read about the group. -Then click on “Join Group” and a notification will go out to one of the admins. You will then be added to the group. A few words from Rick Phelps!

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By Rick Phelps While I Still Can…

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Memory People™ Private Social Group on Facebook created by Rick Phelps

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Rick Phelps Private Social Group on Facebook

Memory People™

A small group of folks with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, along with their caregivers and loved ones, united behind Rick Phelps in a “social group” on Facebook. It seems like it was only a short while ago but their numbers have swelled into the thousands with no end in sight.

If you’re a caregiver or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia and would like to join this group, simply visit the companion page Memory People Fan Page at Facebook and they will help you to find the Memory People Group. It is a “closed group,” which allows for privacy and the freedom to speak as you please.

Rick Phelps was diagnosed with EOAD (Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease) at a young age and has become an advocate and “man on a mission” to raise awareness to Alzheimer’s.

Rick’s Videos are posted at this site along with a short bio at “Living with Alzheimer’s”

For the anniversary of their second month and with only 200 members, their excitement was infectious. At that time Rick said: “We at Memory People™ have a huge announcement to make–we are nearing the acceptance of our 200th Member to Memory People™. Our goal to raise awareness to Alzheimer’s has been a huge success so far.

We have only been in existence for two short months and have already grown to these numbers with members from all over the world. Members have joined our group from Canada, Nova Scotia, England, Australia, the UK, and all over America. We couldn’t be happier by what we have accomplished in these two short months.

Together, we are each going to release three balloons with purple ribbons on the same day, all over the world, to bring Awareness to Alzheimer’s. We are just beginning. We are changing the way people look at this disease by bringing Awareness to it.

If you know someone fighting this disease– family member, or caregiver, and they would like to join us at Memory People™ they need only send a friend request to me, Rick Phelps, I will see that they are accepted.” –Rick Phelps

And their mission of raising awareness continues! The membership is growing rapidly. Though Memory People™ is a closed Group on Face-book, the only Face-book group of its kinds which offers support for Alzheimer’s. Please help us bring Awareness to this terrible disease…

Rick is not a physician nor advocate for any particular treatment for others. He is a person with Early On-Set Alzheimer’s who is documenting his own progress in the hopes of enlightening others about this disease and it’s symptoms.

Rick Phelps is Author of the Early On-set Alzheimer’s videos, found at You-Tube and on this site: Rick’s Alzheimer’s Videos – If you or someone you know has Alzheimer’s or is a loved one or Caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient and would like to join this Closed Group at Facebook, send a “friend request” to: Rick Phelps — There are no other requirements to join Memory People—

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