The Last Childhood: A Family Story of Alzheimer's

When Carrie Knowles and her siblings learned that their mother was suffering from Alzheimer's, they joined more than 50 million other Americans who are providing long-term care to an Alzheimer's victim in their family. In The Last Childhood, Knowles presents the first realistic voice on what it's like to be in this position. She speaks frankly about the emotional toll the disease can have on caregivers, explains what to expect as the disease progresses through its stages, illustrates through her own experience the numerous decisions families must make along the way, and provides information on such topics as: Understanding the symptoms of Alzheimer's Communicating effectively with the patient's doctor Deciding who in your family will be the primary caregiver Becoming a legal guardian for your ailing spouse or relative Choosing an assisted living center Letting go of negative feelings such as guilt and regret Taking care of the caregiver Written with compassion and empathy, and recognizing that the battle with Alzheimer's is never an easy one, The Last Childhood will leave you feeling comforted, enlightened, and hopeful. Whether you are a child, spouse, relative, or friend of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's, whether you are the primary caregiver or not, this book will be an invaluable source of inspiration and support.