Unbreakable Bonds: Jennifer Sullivan on Healing, Hope, and Hard Choices Through Dementia Care
Aug 05, 2025 11:31 pm
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Hello ,
Caregiving isn’t always a storybook journey, especially when family ties are already frayed. In this candid, emotionally charged episode from Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia, August’s Featured Author Jennifer Sullivan shares her raw and inspiring account of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s through complicated family dynamics, financial crises, and the unique heartbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her book, When the Window Closes: What I learned caring for my mom while she was alive and dying is a gripping account of
forced separation, window visits, and the heartache—and hope—of loving at a distance.
Jennifer and hosts Christy Byrne Yates and Jean Lee explore how dementia can shift family roles and reveal unspoken truths, the unexpected gifts that can emerge from even the most difficult relationships, and the importance of self-compassion on the caregiving journey.
Discover how Jennifer turned deep childhood wounds and a rocky mother-daughter relationship into unexpected healing and clarity.
Hear about her struggles with sibling responsibility, navigating Medicaid and memory care, and finally, the bittersweet reconnection with her mom just as the world—and their contact—shut down.
Jennifer’s story proves that deep wounds can sometimes make way for unexpected healing, hope, and even joy.
Memorable Quotes
“My mom loved me—even when I thought she didn’t love me, even when I knew I was her least favorite daughter, she loved me.” - Jennifer
“All the pressure I put on myself was taken away...not being afraid to just love has been one of the biggest gifts.” - Jennifer
“The writing can be so therapeutic—and then people sort of turn that into a memoir.” —Host Christy
About Jennifer Sullivan’s Memoir
When the Window Closes is a powerful, honest memoir about caring for a mother with dementia despite years of emotional distance. It’s a must-read for anyone struggling with complicated family relationships, loss, and the realities of Alzheimer’s caregiving—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In Case You Missed It . . .
Listen to Jean Lee’s Unique Alzheimer’s Journey
In our last Books & Chit Chat discussion for 2025, we met with Jean Lee, author of the poignant yet beautiful memoir Alzheimer’s Daughter. If you missed it you’ll definitely want to check out the replay available on our YouTube channel and podcast, Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Jean joined us for a candid, compassionate discussion about her experience caring for both parents after they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—on the same day. She opened up about the challenges, heartbreak, and hope that shaped her memoir, and revealed the moving story of finding her parents’ WWII love letters while cleaning out their home. These treasured letters not only deepened her memoir, but also provided insight into the enduring bond her parents shared—even as their memories faded.
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What’s Next at AlzAuthors?
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, stay tuned for more virtual discussions after our summer break, plus our first-ever Fall Film Festival! Be sure to open our newsletters so you won’t miss a thing.
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Follow us on Social Media
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter/X and Blue Sky for daily support, book recommendations, and community stories.
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Take a Chance on Our 10th Anniversary Book Giveaway!
We’ve still got books to give away!
Winners selected monthly!
Watch your email inbox for notification!
Enter once to win all year.
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2025 New Authors, Podcasts, and AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Events
8/20 - Replay of Caring for Mothers with Dementia – Three Sons Share Their Stories, an AlzAuthors Live! event
9/8 - Film Festival begins! Stay tuned for details.
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Susan’s Design of the Week
Please share this image with your friends and followers on social media using the following text, copy, paste and hit send! Thank you.
As summer transitions into autumn, it's time to embrace abundance and new possibilities. #AlzAuthors offers valuable #Alzheimers and #dementia resources to help you feel more in control of your future and find purpose in the present. https://alzauthors.com/
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Celebrate Our 10th Anniversary
In celebration of our 10th anniversary, we published a news release telling our story and outlining our plans for this momentous year. Here it is. Please share this with your family, friends, followers and contacts in dementia care.
Thank you.
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We have so much to learn . . .
Dr. Fanny Elahi, associate professor of neurology at Mount Sinai, joins us to discuss her research, which uncovers how biological factors influence the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. Elahi leads a multidisciplinary lab focused on modeling disease and identifying early biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
WHEN: Friday, August 8, at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET
WHERE: Being Patient’s Facebook page
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Love our newsletter?
Please forward it to a family member, friend, or someone you know on a dementia journey. Share the news about our authors, their stories and books, and the valuable resources we offer: website, podcast, blog, and more.
Thank you.
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Let's keep connected ...
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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:
Follow our podcast and leave a review
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Join Books & Chit Chat book club
Volunteer your time and talents
Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource
Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey
Visit us on The Whole Care Network
Check us out on the Health Podcast Network
Vote us up on the NYC Podcast Network
Check Out This Curated List of Alzheimer's Podcasts Featuring our Authors
Discover our authors in this podcast series on Alzheimer's
Purchase a Custom Caregiver Collection
Vote us up on the World Podcast Network
Listen to the podcast on Coming Home Well
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Thank you for supporting our mission to
connect caregivers with resources.
Your Management Team
L to R: Vicki Tapia, Ann Campanella, Christy Byrne Yates,
Marianne Sciucco, Susan Landeis, and Jean Lee
How to reach us:
Marianne Sciucco: podcast host/producer
mariannesciucco@gmail.com
Jean Lee: acquisitions editor, Custom Caregiver Collections
jean@alzheimersdaughter.com
Vicki Tapia: acquisitions editor, children's books
vicki.tapia@gmail.com
Ann Campanella: Custom Caregiver Collections
anncampanella@gmail.com
Susan Landeis: Custom Caregiver Collections
contact@susanlandeis.com
Christy Byrne Yates: podcast host/producer, YouTube channel manager
christy@cbyates.com
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