My book

It is so gratifying to get emails from readers of my book telling me the positive impact it has on their life as caregiver. Some have said it is their 'caregiving bible' which is very flattering and at the same time a challenge for me to write a good helpful second book. There is a lot that has transpired since 2009 when the book came out. The treatments for making life meaningful for the person with Alzheimer's are a wondrous thing.
I just read about something called Time Slips, which uses a prompt picture to initiate people with memory loss to make up a story of their own instead of being challenged to 'remember' something. One leader cut out a picture of the Marlboro man, and asked participants to develop a story about him. They gave him a name and proceeded to chart his actions. It was a warm humorous story. It taps imagination which is alive and well in people with Alzheimer's.
Another treatment is Arts for Alzheimer's, a day at a museum studying art that has been chosen by those with Alzheimer's as art that evokes an emotional response. People are asked, "What do you see going on in this picture?" Stories are forthcoming, often from those who have not engaged in conversation for some time.
Another memory evoking vehicle comes from My Way Village of Quincy, MA. It is a computer based program that is personalized and evokes memories important to that person. I was part of a pilot program with people with Alzheimer's and was so impressed with the value of adding fun and pleasure to what might have been an otherwise empty lonely day.
These are some of the new ideas and treatments I want to explore in my second book. Are there other things you'd like included in the update on Alzheimer caregiving? Write me at beverly.moore@StilMee.com. I'd love to hear from you. It makes writing a joy when it satisfies a need in a field that is so important to me; alzheimer caregiving.
Another couple of good reads are: I'm Still Here by John Zeisel and Voices of Alzheimer's by Betsy Peterson. The author of Still Alice, a best seller, has written another called Left Neglected. Get yourself a copy. Pick up mine too. It is available on our website for the same cost as Amazon.com. Go to www.StilMee.com

PDF file of book

I don't know how many like to read on the computer rather than from a hard or soft cover book, but just so you know, my book is available in PDF format for any who would like it. You can ask for it through the website www.StilMee.com and pay $ 10.00with a credit card by PayPal. Then I can send you the download. I personally love the feel of a book in my hands and the feel of the pages as I turn them. I also write in my books; notes, hightlighted areas, marginal musings and dogeared pages. My Bible is like that too. My husband wouldn't write in his Bible to save his soul, but after all, it is MY book. Later I can reread what my thoughts were the last time I read it.Each time I read scripture, for example, it seems that the Holy Spirit reveals more to me than I might have grasped the last time. I also write my prayers. I'm not too good at staying undistracted in prayer, so I write to God. It is amazing what comes out of the tip of a pen intent on sending a message to Him.
My business books as well are written in. This way I can go back and take notes from my notes. Then I share them with my team so all can learn. I guess I just love to read and to write.

Confessions of an Alzheimer Coach

Now that the emotional upheaval of Bette's death a year ago in January, I am ready to complete the story of her and me on the journey of Alzheimer's. Bette was my mother in law and one challenging patient with Alzheimer's. Being an in law doesn't make caring easier as one is not the family (after all she was not MY mother). This meant dealing with different views of what she needed(or didn't need as they saw it), and working around family dynamics; minimizing the progression of the disease, refusing what I felt were intelligent suggestions, and downright annoyance at my observations about what her needs were. I am writing it to relieve other caregivers of the doubt about their caregiving. I discovered that even with a good head knowledge of the affects of Alzheimer's on the patient and the family, and ability to help families solve challenging behaviors, when the coach is emotionally involved, things are a lot different. Emotions run high; conflict within the family isn't easy to deal with, and being a professional is sometimes a liabiity.
So, wish me luck and good writing so I can share my story with you. I think you'll be relieved to find how many mistakes we made, and how much I learned. Look for its completion hopefully this year.