What My Grandchildren Taught Me about Alzheimer’s Disease
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How does a polar bear pooping on a rug turn into a lesson on Alzheimer’s behaviors of paranoia and hallucinations?
Or a pregnant aunt turn into a lesson about long-term care decisions?
The innocent dialogue and anecdotes the author has recorded for years between her and her grandchildren serve as introductions – and lessons learned – to managing the daily responsibilities in Alzheimer’s care. These poignant stories and insightful perspectives offer a fresh approach in understanding the disease. Thought-provoking, humorous, and endearing, this book will have you experiencing the journey of Alzheimer’s disease in a most light-hearted and non-threatening way, so much so that you will hardly realize how much knowledge and how many skills you are acquiring along the way. From understanding the components of the disease, to discovering various ways to communicate, to coping with difficult behavioral expressions; from weaving through all the emotions experienced by the caregiver, to understanding person-centered care, to the importance of social engagement, and much more, this book is a vital and handy resource for anybody affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Published: Sep 14, 2022
Reviews
Alzheimer’s disease affects tens of millions of people all around the world and more than six million individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease is incurable, and those affected are often misunderstood and neglected. But there is a way to comprehend them better, and children can become our guides along the way. In What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease, Dana Olivia Dunn Territo draws parallels between the development of a child and the course of the disease, which resembles its stages in reverse. Dana shares lovely and humorous stories about her grandchildren and their perceptions of complex situations and the world around them. By perceiving children's behavior, we can improve communication with people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and let them be involved in our lives on a deeper level. This is a meaningful read for caregivers, those whose loved ones are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and readers of non-fiction health books who want to learn more about it.
What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease is an eye-opening book. Dana Olivia Dunn Territo offers a complete guide to Alzheimer’s disease and tells us what we can do to improve the quality of life for those affected. With great love, Dana reveals that these people are not a burden. The author encourages us to be more compassionate toward them and acknowledge their needs for socialization and deeper connections with their caregivers and loved ones. I like Dana's expressive and often humorous writing style and the amusing stories about her grandchildren opening every chapter. The author rightly points out that modern society does not appreciate the elderly. Misunderstanding leads to a fear of aging. Dana inspires us to pay more attention to our grandparents and other older people in our lives, for they have their unique stories to tell and their profound experiences to share with the younger generation. This compassion will allow us to be kinder to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and to see human beings behind it. This book gives us many points to ponder, no matter whether we are caregivers or not.
Reader's Favorite 5-Start Book Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It reminded me of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series as well as those “what to expect when you’re expecting” novels for new parents, except the focus here is on people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Fayron Epps, Assistant Professor, NHCGNE Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta
The author paints such beautiful personal stories and ties it all together so well with the concepts she is conveying. She knows the challenges of being an Alzheimer’s caregiver. It would be a beautiful resource to those tackling this difficult struggle. I can see it even being utilized as a companion resource for Alzheimer’s support groups.
Robert M. Brouillette, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Institute for Dementia Research and Prevention, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
[Dana] takes a complicated, detailed topic of Alzheimer’s, and humbly teaches us that through a more simplistic viewpoint profound lessons can be learned. Dana can make you laugh and she can make you cry, but above all she will prepare you to confront dementia head on, and you’ll be the better for it. Read on, and share what you discover.
From the Foreword by Jack York, Co-Founder of iN2L – “It’s Never Too Late”