Testimonials

“A very practical approach to living with loved one’s with memory loss.  A must for family members of Alzheimer’s patients.”
– Sundance L. Rogers, MD, ABIM
Virginia Mason

“Remember I Can’t Remember is a masterpiece that is transforming and at times beautiful.  While it is a short book with big print it is powerful in its wisdom and real life application.”
– Roger Moore, PhD

“This booklet is a treasure, reminding us that life is always experienced best through moments of connection.  And especially toward the end of life, there is no need to fix or advise or correct.  Just to be present is the gift.”
– Rick Jackson
Co-founder and Senior Fellow, Center for Courage and Renewal

“This pamphlet proves the notion that, precious things do come in small packages.  It’s an honest, wise and inspirational story of the power of love and understanding.  Anyone would benefit from reading it.”
– Larry Nakata
Owner, Town and Country/ Central Market

“I learned how to better communicate with my diminishing, 86 year old Mother, who has advanced dementia.  Their booklet helped my siblings, and me understand her language and her needs more empathetically and patiently.  We became better caregiver’s for having read this memoir.”
– Laura J. Bernard
Dr. Gregory Keyes Medical Group

“My father was in declining health, exhibiting symptoms of dementia and potentially Alzheimer’s and frankly I was uncomfortable with the whole experience.  A friend gave me a copy of “Remember I Can’t Remember” and then he gave me some really good advice and suggested I read it several times in advance of a visit with my father.  The words of encouragement and advice have proved to be very helpful to my family and me as we go through this experience.”
– Robert M. Ling Jr.
President, Unified Grocers Inc.

“This is the best booklet ever!  I have read it from beginning to end and it is heart touching, helpful, encouraging and a perfect book for everyone to read.”
“We all will either be caring for and with a loved one or will be there ourselves one day.  What a gift you two have given to all of us, who are or will be, caregivers. I love this book.”
– Peg Tillery
Writer, Kitsap Sun and West Sound Magazine

“Everyone struggles to accept and care for a loved one with dementia, but there is no step-by-step guide to the way it will unfold for you.  This book is a must for anyone who knows someone with dementia.  Getting into the right frame of mind, trying to see it through that loved one’s eyes, is essential.  The author has really nailed this in a concise, easy to understand way.  I recommend it to everyone.  A quick, easy to read book that you will come back to again and again for support and insight.  It will help you remain compassionate and sane.”
– Dr. Kim Leatham MD, ABFP
Virginia Mason

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Fantastic Documentary Alive Inside Here is the You tube trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaB5Egej0TQ A must Watch!!!!  We are so quick to prescribe medication at such a high cost but it's very difficult to get funding to buy each person an ipod.  They awaken with their music!  It makes them happy instead of sedated!  A winner!

UPCOMING BROADCASTS

Remember I Can't Remember Authors, Plus The Remember Together Program by AFA

Alzheimer's Speaks is an advocacy group promoting awareness and education to all around the world. We believe all voices need to be heard if we are to make a shift in our care culture. Our first guests will be Eric and Heather Andersen, Authors of "Remember I Can't Remember." Through their life journeys, caregiving has been one of most amazing and fulfilling one they have ever experienced. Learn how and why this happened. We hope you will join the conversation! Contact Eric and Heather Website Email We are lucky to have as our second guest Charles Fuschillo, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. We will discuss their highly successful Memory Screening and their "Remember Together" Programs; along with other efforts shifting our dementia care culture. Contact the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Website Phone: 866-232-8484 Facebook For additional information and resources on dementia and caregiving check out Alzheimer's Speaks website.

• in Caregiving
• next Tuesday at 8:00 am
• 02:00

October Bestsellers at Liberty Bay Books

**We are extra excited to congratulate LOCAL authors Eric & Heather Andersen on being our #1 Best Selling Adult Book this month!!! Congratulations!**

ADULTS:

1. Remember I Can't Remember by Eric & Heather Andersen

Thank you Suzanne and Liberty Bay Books for all your support!  So excited!!!http://libertybaybooks.blogspot.com/

What's love got to do with it?

When a person with Alzheimer's is sick it is quite a bit like an infant that can speak.  In the late stages they truly have no understanding of what is wrong.  They just know they need help and that they are afraid but thy don't know why.  They don't even know who is comforting them.  I do believe they instinctively know when they are loved.  An infant has no understanding of a mother but they instinctively know she can calm them.  They feel a bond.

When my grandma was sick I would rub her head and talk with her.  She felt so sick yet she says softly "Thank you, thank you, that feels so good, that feels so good, thank you."  What else could I do but love her and comfort her.  I tell her she has a bad cough but she'll be okay, nothing, but just letting her know that she is cared for and loved.  They are human beings in need of the most primal necessities, they know when they are not alone.  Remember, their memory won't remember what you are doing for them but their body remembers.

Before grandma lived with us we read the book "Love and Survival" by Dr. Dean Ornish.
We had read quite a few of his books in the past, mostly regarding health and diet, but this book was all about the power of Love and Intimacy.  It is a wonderful eyeopening book .... I'd like to share a couple quotes:

"Love, promotes survival.  Both nurturing and being nurtured are life affirming.  Anything that takes you outside of ourself promotes healing---in profound ways that can be measured---independent of other known factors such as diet and exercise."

"The simple act of touching someone is a powerful way to begin healing loneliness and isolation.  While the most important benefits of touching may be beyond measurement, some can be observed and studied".

Love without restraint....touch them; rub lotion on their skin, hold their hand, brush their hair, paint their nails...just touch them.  It really does make a difference.

What we all have within ourselves

We realize that dementia/Alzheimer's symptoms are as varied as the people that have them.  So every response or treatment must also be unique, but the three things that will carry you a long way are; love, patience, and trying to meet them where they are.  The list of what an elderly person requires may seem overwhelming and endless but what they need above all else is what we all have within ourselves.

An irony is that as we feel they are losing their human qualities (the traits that allow them/us to function in society) I would argue that our truest human qualities, the qualities that we all share are being laid bare.  There are many groups raising money for a cure and in labs all over the world their are people seeking cures.  We hope someone finds a cure....but today lets celebrate caregiving and recognize our highest essence.  I am not expecting a cure for the human condition, our essence. When dementia/Alzheimer's is cured, caregiving will continue.  It represents what is best in us.  We are "hard-wired for care" (David Korden).  Focusing on the simplest tasks when everything falls away, we still have the need and desire to connect and care for.

In the big picture; aliments and disease will come and go, but the need for care will always be with us. When  we speak of the transforming power of care, it  not about us becoming something other than who we are, but actually the transformation takes place by us fully recognizing our truest nature. I argue that aspect of ourselves, our humanity, can only be reached with the skeleton key of care taking or empathy or Altruistic acts.