D. Liebhart Explores Impossible Promises in Dementia Novel

Nov 01, 2023 12:01 am

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Hello ,

Fiction can be a valuable resource in learning about dementia. That was my goal in writing my own novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story, written from my personal experience as a nurse and case manager and the loving niece of several aunts with Alzheimer's. I wanted to show readers what happens on a dementia journey, the caregiver's struggles, the tough decisions families must make, the trajectory of the illness, and the toll it takes on the one actually living with the diagnosis. In fiction, we're able to tackle tough topics by taking a step back, writing about a character who does not actually exist but experiences situations that are known to most people. Those with no personal experience of dementia can learn about it in a gentler way, expanding their awareness. The AlzAuthors collection features many excellent novels, including Young Adult Fiction, and we bring you a new one today. D. Liebhart's House on Fire was inspired by her personal journey with her father and his vascular dementia. As time wore on, her family's situation became more and more like that of the characters in her book, until she felt she was "living her book." This was also my situation, as two years after my book was published my stepfather was diagnosed, and I became his caregiver. My fiction became my life, and the story was much different from the one I imagined.

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Meet D. Liebhart

She writes:

I can’t say that I wrote this novel with the intent to do anything except tell an authentic story about an issue facing a staggering number of people. According to the WHO, fifty-five million people worldwide have dementia with ten million new cases each year. It is a leading cause of disability and dependency. My hope is that this book might prompt some of the challenging conversations our society needs to have about this condition, the people who live with it, and the people who care for them.

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Our Latest Podcasts

In this bonus episode, join podcast hosts Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates as they discuss the launch of the Whole Care Network’s new streaming radio channel with guest Christopher MacLellan, the passionate founder, who aims to connect and empower caregivers through this groundbreaking platform. The app provides trusted information and support to caregivers.

Start listenIng!

Anne Kenny, MD is a compassionate geriatrician specializing in palliative care, who brings to her practice the knowledge she gained as caregiver to her own mother who had dementia. She understands the challenges, family tensions, and grief that families encounter. Her book, Making Tough Decisions About End of Life Care in Dementia, helps caregivers seek support and emphasizes the importance of open conversations about end-of-life planning.

Start listening!

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On Friday, November 3rd, we will publish our 100th podcast episode! This will be the replay of our virtual panel discussion "Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Living With Dementia (but were afraid to ask) part 2", held on October 24th, 2023. You can catch up on all our episodes here. Thank you to all of our guests for sharing their stories, and to our thousands of listeners who have given us their precious time, subscribed to our channel, and left reviews.

We could not do any of this without you. Season 2024 is in the works!

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Caregiver Month Gifts for You

November is National Family Caregivers Month! In honor of family caregivers caring for a loved one with dementia we’re offering FREE copies of our audiobook “Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiving Stories: 58 authors share their inspiring personal experiences” to US and UK subscribers while they last. Please email alzauthors@gmail.com to request a copy. Ebooks are also available worldwide. Click here for an ebook. Paperback copies are available on Amazon.

We're also offering free downloads of our informative Caregiver Tip Sheet: 13 Helpful Tips for the Long-Distance Caregiver compiled by Marianne Sciucco from her experience caring for her parents from 250 miles away. Get yours here.

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Upcoming Caregiver Events

Virtual Writing Workshop November 8th

AlzAuthors Annette Januzzi Wick and Pauletta Hansel lead online creative writing experiences designed to help family caregivers, past or present, explore the gifts and challenges of their lives through poetry, storytelling, and journaling. Their next workshop is on November 8th at 10 am EST. In this workshop, participants write to reflect on their own journey and to share as much or as little writing in a supportive and safe circle of other caregivers. No previous writing experience is necessary. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants prior to class date. Listen to their podcast.

Learn more here

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Four Authors Featured in Washington Symposium

We are happy to see four of our wonderful authors come together for this important and timely event on November 9th from 2:00 -3:30.

Madison House Independent and Assisted Living Community

12215 NE 128th St Kirkland, WA

Congratulations Naomi Wark, Rosalys Peel,

Steph Jagger, and Florrie Munat

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Audiologist Natalie Stephenson joins Being Patient Live Talks on Friday, November 10th, at 11:00 a.m. PT/2:00 p.m. ET to discuss how hearing care can support overall well-being and brain health. She will also address how considering hearing loss during diagnosis can foster more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

RSVP here

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Susan's Design of the Week

Susan Landeis, author of In Search of Rainbows and Optimal Caregiving, is the creative talent behind the beautiful graphics that adorn our social media feeds. She makes fresh ones daily. To honor Susan and her work, we feature our favorite design of the week - not easy - in each newsletter in case you missed it. Feel free to share the graphics - and their text - to your own social media. This will help spread the word of AlzAuthors and give your followers a reason to smile. Thank you, Susan, for making us look so good!

As a caregiver, you have many responsibilities but you, too, are important. AlzAuthors offers resources that provide practical advice and compassion to support your #dementia journey. https://alzauthors.com/

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Triple Your Support During National Family Caregivers Month

Donations for Custom Caregiver Collections will be Matched up to $2500

AlzAuthors is excited to support family caregivers every month. But during the month of November, National Family Caregivers Month, we are tripling the impact of your gift to us! For every dollar you donate towards our Custom Caregiver Collections, two anonymous donors will each match these funds (up to a total of $2,500). So, a $100 donation will be worth $300! When someone receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia, the whole family is affected. Each person is suddenly thrust onto a new and difficult path. Our books provide a handrail for the journey with practical advice, hope and inspiration. Over the past 18 months, AlzAuthors has placed these valuable collections in care homes, senior centers, memory cafes, university settings and professional libraries. Your donation will help us share these important resources with more caregivers. Simply click the Donate button below.

Donate now

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Our mission is to provide quality resources for those concerned with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Please help by connecting with us in at least one new way this week:

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