"The subject of physical and mental deterioration and its consequences on people and their loved ones is one that most of us prefer to avoid, even those of us who provide medical care to the elderly. Yet, this is often part of the human experience. Information written on the subject is usually dry and didactic. Kathy Stewart has granted the reader access to her world, the assisted living community, where extraordinary needs are met by extraordinary people. Through interesting, illustrative, and poignant vignettes, a realistic, often intense and yet hopeful experience is accorded the reader. This book, crafted professionally and compassionately, is a gem that should be read not only by relatives of people suffering progressive memory loss but by all of us, since many of us will eventually be touched by this situation in our lifetimes." -Mark H. Greenberg, MD, FACR, Rheumatologist, Author of "Doctor, Why Do I Hurt So Much?" "Few events impact an entire family more than the onset of dementia in a parent, spouse, sibling, or close friend. Drawing upon her own personal and professional experiences, Kathy Stewart has developed a practical guide for caregivers. The book is easy to read, yet it provides a wealth of useful information which is accessible to all. It should provide knowledge and comfort for anyone caring for an individual with dementia." -George A. Kuchel, M.D., FRCPC, Professor, Citicorp Chair in Geriatrics & Gerontology, Director, UConn Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center "Kathy Stewart has provided an outstanding, informative, and useful guide. This book is required reading for all adult children and caregivers who seek to provide the best possible care for Mom and Dad. I wish I had this book when my own mother developed stroke-related dementia and needed extensive specialized care." -Elly Trepman, M.D., Professional Associate, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, www.manuscriptsurgeon.com

When Tom DeBaggio turned fifty-seven in 1999, he thought he was about to embark on the relaxing golden years of retirement -- time to spend with his family, his friends, the herb garden he had spent decades cultivating and from which he made a living. Then, one winter day, he mentioned to his doctor during a routine exam that he had been stumbling into forgetfulness, making his work difficult. After that fateful visit, and a subsequent battery of tests over several months, DeBaggio joined the legion of twelve million others afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. But under such a curse, DeBaggio was also given one of the greatest gifts: the ability to chart the ups and downs of his own failing mind. Losing My Mind is an extraordinary first-person account of early onset Alzheimer's -- the form of the disease that ravages younger, more alert minds. DeBaggio started writing on the first day of his diagnosis and has continued despite his slipping grasp on one of life's greatest treasures, memory. In an inspiring and detailed account, DeBaggio paints a vivid picture of the splendor of memory and the pain that comes from its loss. Whether describing the happy days of a youth spent in a much more innocent time or evaluating how his disease has affected those around him, DeBaggio poignantly depicts one of the most important parts of our lives -- remembrance -- and how we often take it for granted. But to DeBaggio, memory is more than just an account of a time long past, it is one's ability to function, to think, and ultimately, to survive. As his life becomes reduced to moments of clarity, the true power of thought and his ability to connect to the world shine through, and in DeBaggio's case, it is as much in the lack of functioning as it is in the ability to function that one finds love, hope and the relaxing golden years of peace. At once an autobiography, a medical history and a testament to the beauty of memory, Losing My Mind is more than just a story of Alzheimer's, it is the captivating tale of one man's battle to stay connected with the world and his own life.

A familiar stranger. That is who my mom became as dementia slowly took hold of her. She was someone I knew and loved but not the same person she had been. A profound sadness hit me when I realized that my daughters may one day have to deal with me in this same condition and I wanted them to know that who I become if this happens is not really who I am. The things I will say and do will be coming from someone who has gradually become a stranger to them. Everything about our life together will change when I have nowhere to go and all day to get there, forgetting that they still have commitments, appointments and things to do. We will experience a sense of time travel as my memories from the past become jumbled up in the happenings of each new day. The change in my language could bring about surprising and sometimes disturbing conversations as the filters from the past wane and they see me in my uncut glory. This is a love letter of instruction to my daughters while I am able to express myself fully with prompts for you to do the same for your children or to chronicle meaningful times in the lives of your parents before the chance is lost forever.

2-sprachiger Lektüreband mit einer Erzählung von Jonathan Frantzen und einer Audio-CD mit dem englischen Text; für Lernende mit guten Vorkenntnissen.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Soon to be a Hulu Original series • The internationally acclaimed author of Wild collects the best of The Rumpus's Dear Sugar advice columns plus never-before-published pieces. Rich with humor and insight—and absolute honesty—this "wise and compassionate" (New York Times Book Review) book is a balm for everything life throws our way. Life can be hard: your lover cheats on you; you lose a family member; you can’t pay the bills—and it can be great: you’ve had the hottest sex of your life; you get that plum job; you muster the courage to write your novel. Sugar—the once-anonymous online columnist at The Rumpus, now revealed as Cheryl Strayed, author of the bestselling memoir Wild—is the person thousands turn to for advice.

Every loss mama deserves to be reminded she is the mother of all mothers.

Learn to start open, productive talks about money with your parents as they age As your parents age, you may find that you want or need to broach the often-difficult subject of finances. In Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations with Your Parents About Their Finances, you’ll learn the best ways to approach this issue, along with a wealth of financial and legal information that will help you help your parents into and through their golden years. Sometimes parents are reluctant to address money matters with their adult children, and topics such as long-term care, retirement savings (or lack thereof), and end-of-life planning can be particularly touchy. In this book, you’ll hear from others in your position who have successfully had “the talk” with their parents, and you’ll read about a variety of conversation strategies that can make talking finances more comfortable and more productive. Learn conversation starters and strategies to open the lines of communication about your parents’ finances Discover the essential financial and legal information you should gather from your parents to be prepared for the future Gain insight from others’ stories of successfully talking money with aging parents Gather the courage, hope, and motivation you need to broach difficult subjects such as care facilities and end-of-life plans For children of Baby Boomers and others looking to assist aging parents with their finances, Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk is a welcome and comforting read. Although talking money with your parents can be hard, you aren’t alone, and this book will guide you through the process of having fruitful financial conversations that lead to meaningful action.