Sandra Strauss searches for answers to the "why" of her husband's dementia

Jan 11, 2023 5:16 am

Hello ,

With the breath of a new year still lingering, I’ve been reflecting on life and its circuitous nature. January comes around once every twelve months and as the reset month for many, it’s a time of resolution and change. The big change in our household is my husband’s retirement. With both of us now retired, we will be finding our way forward along a new pathway, excited by the prospect of new adventures.

AlzAuthors continues to perk along, with tweaks here and there to better serve our community of authors and caregivers. We like to hear from you – what are we doing right and what we could improve. Drop us an email or better yet, write a short review on Google (link at the very bottom of this email). Thank you. We truly appreciate your support!

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From her experiences, Sandra is "compelled to share an all-too-familiar path that millions find themselves traveling now as caregivers. As an endurance run of body, mind, and heart, she also speaks about the challenges of caregiving for the neurologically impaired—family dynamics, relationship changes, care issues, legal consequences, and support strategies--to assist others in navigating through the many challenges that accompany these and other chronic illnesses."

Sandra shares:

Without credible answers from mainstream medicine regarding what mysterious

illness had stricken Rick, my seemingly robust and healthy 59-year-old husband,

I embarked upon a fervent journey of discovery. What had fired up so many bizarre symptoms that turned him so suddenly into a stranger? It became a 12-year siege of ever-changing symptoms and cognition that—through traditional testing—defied diagnosis.

Read the rest of Sandra's AlzAuthors essay:

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Please retweet the announcement of Sandra's Post:

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On the Podcast

This episode is a duet with two of our authors who happen to be years long friends brought together by their work in dementia care and the arts. Tryn Rose Seley and Mary Crescenzo are award winning authors and master teaching artists who have each worked for decades to empower caregivers and enhance the lives of those living with dementia. We discuss the value of the creative arts in dementia care, how caregivers can use these modalities at home, and, for the first time, we have singing on the podcast!

Start Listening!

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Podcast: AlzAuthors Founder Jean Lee Visits All Home Care Matters

Jean shares the experience of writing her memoir, Alzheimer's Daughter, the dual diagnosis of both parents with Alzheimer's, and her work with AlzAuthors.

Watch on YouTube

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Podcast: Tony Copeland Parker Shares His Caregiving Story “Running All Over the World”

Voyage Media presents an interview with AlzAuthor Tony Copeland Parker about his caregiving journey with his partner Catherine, diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's in her early fifties. Their solution: Retire, sell their home, and start running marathons all over the world. Tony is proud to have his story told, with portions acted out by an outstanding cast. This is a great listen!

Start ListenIng!

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Feature your latest book on this fabulous tote bag! AlzAuthors Creations offers customized products to help you share your story. A portion of these proceeds helps Feature your latest book on this fabulous tote bag! AlzAuthors Creations offers customized products to help you share your story. A portion of these proceeds helps support our ongoing efforts to bring quality resources to caregivers.

Details

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Happy Healthy Caregiver Hosts Virtual Café

Elizabeth Miller of Happy Healthy Caregiver is hosting a new event, and would love to see you there. Join her for Happy Healthy Caregiver Virtual Café for family caregivers on Wednesday, January 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM ET.

Kick off 2023 with a plan to infuse more fun into this year!

We'll also be playing a new game for prizes!

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Nominate Your Favorite Caregiver for HFC's Scotty Award

The Scotty is not a recognition of the best caregiver, nor is it a recognition of the hardest working caregiver, nor the bravest. The Scotty is a symbol, and HFC's way of recognizing ALL family caregivers who work, strive, love, and yes, sometimes struggle, while caring for someone living with the serious effects of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

Nominations end February 1.

Winner announced February 17.

Submit your nomination here

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A Caregiver Writing Workshop for 2023

Annette J. Wick, author of I'll Have Some of Yours and Pauletta Hansel, author of Palindrome, poems about her mother's journey through dementia are offering a FREE writing workshop for caregivers. Participants will 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. Annette and Pauletta have collaborated on many workshops like this over the years and are experienced writing teachers.

Four sessions:

February 16: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

May 16: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

August 1: 1 pm - 3 pm EST

November 8: 10 am - 12 pm EST

Coming February 1st: Annette and Pauletta

will visit the podcast to discuss this workshop.

Get More Info

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Tell Us Your Story!

We are so grateful to those who have submitted their dementia stories to our six-word project. If we plan to create a book, we need more of these amazing tidbits of information, insight, and inspiration.

Here’s how to share your six words on what I wish I knew about Alzheimer's or dementia that I didn't find out until later:

1. Go to this link https://app.sixwordmemoirs.com/

where you’ll be prompted to login with a name/password/email.

2. Then go to Join Topics and use this code: b9xeuc4g

or visit https://app.sixwordmemoirs.com/topic/b9xeuc4g/s

3. Share one or as many six-word stories as you like!

You can also use these links to read all the stories submitted thus far.

We can't wait to read your stories!

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How to Support our Mission

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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