In "Meatballs for Grandpa" Jeanette Fazzari Jones Shares a Child's Dementia Journey

Sep 03, 2024 11:30 pm

If you’re new to this email, welcome! We’re glad you’re here. We email bi-weekly with news of our latest author, podcast, and events to guide the dementia caregiving journey. Feel free to share what you see here with others concerned about Alzheimer's and dementia. You may unsubscribe at anytime below.

💜 💜 💜

Hello ,

One certainty in life is change, and change has come to AlzAuthors. You may recall that we announced a new format to our platform early in June, focusing more on the podcast and streamlining our offerings. It starts this week.

Beginning today, we'll feature one new author and their book each month. They will be featured on the podcast, and will write the traditional introductory blog post. Later in the month, we'll also provide a replay of our monthly Aging & Amazing Books and Chit Chat discussion, featuring another of our more established authors. Thus, you will receive two podcasts each month available across all the podcasting platforms we use and our YouTube channel.

We'll continue to present the occasional AlzAuthors Live! discussion panels on a variety of topics, and replays will also appear on the podcast and YouTube channel. You'll receive bi-weekly emails but may hear from us in between if we have something we can’t wait to share.

In this way, we'll continue to provide quality resources for caregivers as well as carry on our mission to eradicate the silence and stigma that often accompanies a dementia diagnosis. Thank you for your support.

Marianne, Jean,Vicki, Ann, Susan, and Christy

💜 💜 💜

Our Newest Author and Podcast

In some families, children and grandchildren are on the dementia journey alongside us. How do we explain to them the changes they may see in a beloved family member? What do we say about the amount of time we may spend caring for them? How do we include them in the process in ways that are meaningful and memorable? In this week's podcast, we discuss these questions with Jeanette Fazzari Jones, author of the beautifully illustrated children's book Meatballs for Grandpa. Jeanette is a kindergarten teacher from Kentucky whose own experience with her grandfather's dementia left a strong impression and motivates her to advocate for Alzheimer's and dementia awareness.

Our conversation delves into the importance of involving children in supporting family members with dementia, and the role of literature in conveying the emotional complexities of the condition. She vividly describes how the disease impacted her family dynamics, recalling the challenges they faced in maintaining their annual traditions while caring for her grandparents. Her experiences and insights offer a valuable perspective on navigating the challenges of dementia within families, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the multi-faceted effects of dementia and the power of storytelling and intergenerational connections in coping with these challenges.

In this episode, you will:

Learn effective ways to support family members with dementia, fostering understanding and connection within your family.
Discover an engaging children's book that raises dementia awareness, providing a valuable resource for educating young family members.
Explore the power of intergenerational cooking and memory, creating lasting bonds and cherished moments with your loved ones impacted by dementia.
Uncover caregiver support and resources to navigate the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia, empowering you with the knowledge and tools to provide the best care.

Listen here!

Watch on YouTube!

💜 💜 💜

In Case You Missed It …

"Exploring Alzheimer's Through Fiction: Marianne Sciucco's Journey," a deeply moving conversation between our hosts, Christy Byrne Yates and Marianne Sciucco and the Aging and Amazing Books & Chit Chat discussion group. They discuss Marianne's novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story, and take us through her intricate, emotional, and inspiring journey of personal and professional caregiving, as told through the lens of her rich experiences and her impactful writing. They also discuss the value of fiction in understanding dementia and the caregiving journey.

Watch on YouTube!

Start listening!

💜 💜 💜

What's Next for the Book Club

Please join us for our next book club discussion on Tuesday, September 24th at 7 pm EST via Zoom as we meet Dorothy Horne to discuss her inspirational books, "Glimpses of Grace: Walking in Hope Through Alzheimer's and Ordinary Days" and "Glimpses of Grace: And Grace Will Lead Us Home." Read one or the other or both!

Readers say:

"Dorothy’s soulful reflections are filled with love, light, and hope that will be uplifting to those families living with Alzheimer’s and other related forms of dementia.”

"Dorothy Horne gives us an inside look into the vulnerable world of a caregiver and offers practical advice on how to accept help from others, care for your spouse and care for yourself."

"Dorothy writes in a way that touches the hearts of all readers. Although the book is centered around Alzheimer's, her insights relate to all challenges we face everyday. Heartwarming, must read book."

Remember: it’s not necessary to read the books to attend the discussion. All are welcome. Please invite your family and friends for a vigorous discussion.

Learn more about Dorothy

Register here to get the link to the Zoom meetings

Coming in October:

Join us on October 29th at 7 pm EST for a discussion of Carolyn Birrell's beautiful memoir "Walking with Fay: My Mother's Uncharted Path Into Dementia."

To learn more about the book club or to become a member, please visit agingamazing.com.

💜 💜 💜

Did you know you can customize a collection of AlzAuthors books with a Custom Caregiver Collection? Perfect for care homes, senior centers, memory cafes and more. This collection is heading for the Alzheimer's Association in Anchorage Alaska! Visit our website for more information.

Learn more here

💜 💜 💜

Coming Up Next: Pods & Book Club

9/18 - Christy Byrne Yates Book Club Replay

9/24 - Books & Chit Chat with Dorothy Horne, Glimpses of Grace: Walking in Hope Through Alzheimer's and Ordinary Days and Glimpses of Grace: And Grace Will Lead Us Home

10/2 - NEW AUTHOR: Alleyne Symons, Love in a Time of Caterpillars

10/16 - Dorothy Horne Book Club Replay

10/29 - Books and Chit Chat with Carolyn Birrell, Walking with Fay

10/30 - NEW AUTHOR: Helena Popovic, In Search of My Father: Dementia is no match for a daughter's determination (Outwitting Alzheimer's Book 1)

11/13 - Carolyn Birell Book Club Replay

11/26 - Books & Chit Chat with Malia Kline, Sisterly Shove

11/27 - NO POD Thanksgiving (US) Break

12/4 - NEW AUTHOR: Allison Applebaum, Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving

12/18 - Malia Kline Book Club Replay

12/25 - HOLIDAY BREAK - NO POD

1/1 - HOLIDAY BREAK - NO POD

💜 💜 💜

Susan's Design of the Week

Please share this with your friends and followers on social media using the following text:

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of #dementia. #AlzAuthors supports caregivers, families, and those living with the disease by offering hundreds of exceptional resources that offer comfort, insight and understanding. #ENDALZ https://alzauthors.com/

💜 💜 💜

We have so much to learn …

Friday, September 6th at 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET: University of Victoria’s Dr. Timothy Naimi will join Being Patient Live Talks to discuss the impact of alcohol consumption on brain health in the context of the latest research in the space. RSVP to learn the latest research on alcohol consumption and the brain.

WHEN: Friday, September 6th at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.

WHERE: Being Patient’s Facebook page

RSVP now!

💜 💜 💜

Was this email forwarded to you?

Subscribe here

💜 💜 💜

Let's keep connected ...

💜 💜 💜

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:

Become an AlzAuthors Donor

Subscribe to our weekly blog

Follow our podcast and leave a review

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Volunteer your time and talents

Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource

Buy a book (or books!) in the AlzAuthors Bookstore

Join our Amazon book club

Leave a review on Google

Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey

Host a Facebook Fundraiser

Shop our store!