To the Reader
Dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form, is an illness that is ravaging the senior population. Every 70 seconds someone develops the disease and by 2050 it will be every 33 seconds. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death. It places an enormous burden on our present and future generations. It exacts a devastating toll on everyone involved. While most of us may be aware of the physical, psychological, and financial ramifications that dementia brings, there is another dimension to this disease—a more positive one.
By entering their world, we can find unexpected gifts if we as caregivers have the capacity and the knowledge to accept the person for who they are, no matter what their mental state is at any given moment. If caregivers are equipped to let go of any negative thinking about what once was, or what could have been, in order to embrace what is happening right now, they have the opportunity to create rewarding experiences for and with their loved ones.
The possibilities are endless, and the rewards can be incredible. It was those special moments with my dad, which I share with the reader. I learned from my own trial and error, approaches that preserved my father’s dignity and enriched not only his quality of life, but mine as well.
By capturing the essence of my father before the dementia and after diagnosis, this book presents the paradox between sadness and joy, pain and tenderness, heartbreak and hope. My goal in writing Susie and Me Days; Joy in the Shadow of Dementia is to empower caregivers and families with practical ideas and solutions that will help them journey through the uncomfortable realities and consequences of this disease. Woven within this story are suggested strategies and interventions that worked well for me. This book is not meant to be a clinical document, but rather a guide for caregivers and families as they try to cope from day-to-day.
Each person’s journey is different. I hope you enjoy and benefit from reading about mine.
a signed copy.