Exploring Family, Love, and Alzheimer’s Through Fiction with Author Marita Golden
May 21, 2025 11:01 am
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Hello ,
Welcome back to AlzAuthors! We’re delighted to share highlights from our most recent Books and Chit Chat discussion featuring the acclaimed author Marita Golden and her powerful novel, The Wide Circumference of Love. This episode was co-hosted with Aging and Amazing, bringing together voices from the caregiving community to shine a light on stories that matter.
Inside This Episode
Host Christy Byrne Yates opened our discussion with Marita celebrating her rich legacy as a writer, educator, and literary activist. Marita shared her journey from storytelling as a child to becoming the author of 22 books. Reflecting on her evolution as a writer, Marita emphasized how the curiosity and encouragement she received growing up shaped her path.
A particularly resonant moment came as Marita read from the emotional opening of The Wide Circumference of Love. The passage, which details a caregiver’s nightly worries and rituals, resonated deeply with those who have walked the same journey.
Marita explained that although she hadn’t been a personal caregiver for someone with dementia, her extensive research and empathetic listening brought authenticity and heart to her characters. Her portrayal turns the spotlight on the emotional complexities families face when navigating Alzheimer’s.
Key Topics Covered
- The Writing Process: Marita discussed how writing can be healing—and that everyone has a story worth telling.
- Caregiving Realities: The discussion explored how the stories we tell and share—whether through fiction, memoir, or journaling—bring comfort and connection.
- Diversity and Dementia: Marita shared striking insights about the higher risk of Alzheimer’s in African American communities and her advocacy for more inclusive medical research.
- Writing as Community: With fellow AlzAuthors writers joining in, including Vicki Tapia and Ruth Stevens, we explored how journaling and storytelling help caregivers process and memorialize their experiences.
What’s Next? We hope Marita Golden’s story inspires you—whether you’re caring for a loved one, writing your own journey, or simply seeking community. Keep an eye out for our upcoming events in the AlzAuthors and Aging and Amazing Community. You can join future live book discussions with authors here.
Join the Conversation!
Please share your thoughts, stories, or questions with us. Join our warm, inclusive community supporting all who are touched by dementia. You can reach us at alzauthors@gmail.com, and on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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In Case You Missed It . . .
Don't miss this podcast episode with Carol Steinberg, whose new children’s book, Come Grandpa Meow, Let’s Fly, adds a much-needed resource for families navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Carol’s journey began more than 25 years ago, during her own father’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. She originally wrote the book as part of her grieving process, but it wasn’t until she’d spent years working at both local and national Alzheimer’s organizations that the story truly found its shape. The finished book beautifully balances respect, understanding, and connection for readers young and old. The realistic illustrations, vibrant and relatable, help children grasp the changes happening in their loved ones while inviting gentle, honest conversations.
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Coming Up for Book Club
Book Description: Slow Puncture is an account of a year in the life of Peter, an ordinary man living in a sleepy Suffolk (England) village. Happily married and running a successful business, Peter's life changes when, at the age of fifty, he is given a terminal diagnosis of early onset dementia. Since that day, he has learned to live with his very own dementia monster. From depression and suicide attempts through to his determination to confront his dementia, Peter has embarked on a series of challenges to show that life isn't over with dementia, it's just a little different. Peter has raised thousands of pounds for dementia charities, cycling hundreds of miles in his quest to show that life is always worth living. When Peter meets Deb, recently retired, they embark on regular cycle rides and, as their friendship grows, Deb is able to look at her own life through the lens of Peter's dementia. In Slow Puncture, Peter tells the world what it is really like to live with a terminal condition and Deb learns to enjoy each day more fully. With a foreword by the late best-selling author Wendy Mitchell, author of Somebody I Used to Know, this is an inspirational look at both living in the present and coping with dementia.
Peter and Deb have also authored Walk With Me: Musings Through the Dementia Fog" a compilation of the thoughts and poetry of Peter Berry, which we will also discuss.
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New Recommended Read
AlzAuthors features only 12 books per year. However, many others are valuable resources for our followers and are proudly recommended by AlzAuthors.
Dementia Home Care: How to Prepare Before, During, and After by Tracy Cram Perkins is a must-have, user-friendly reference for dementia caregivers. Packed with little-known tips for managing physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges from early to final stages, it offers insight into the thoughts and feelings of those living with dementia and emphasizes the therapeutic power of laughter. With this practical guide, caregivers find solutions without having to call the help line. Winner of the 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards for Insightful and Instructional Non-fiction.
See all Recommended Reads here.
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Celebrate Our 10th Anniversary and Raise Awareness of Alzheimer’s
AlzAuthors celebrates our 10th Anniversary this June, which is also National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. We’re excited to spotlight our wonderful authors along with our supporters who work in the dementia field this month. Please help by sending us one or more of the following:
- a photo of you with your AlzAuthors book and a quote about AlzAuthors
- a photo of you with any AlzAuthors merchandise (t-shirt, hat, mug, etc.)
- a photo of you, your logo and a quote about AlzAuthors
- a short video (less than 1 minute) of you, your book and something you appreciate about AlzAuthors
We will share this information in our newsletter and on social media.
Please email your submission to alzauthors@gmail.com.
Nicole Smith shared this with us:
Thanks Nicole!
Get FREE Caregiver Tip Sheets here.
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Be a part of something special with an AlzAuthors limited-edition 10th anniversary t-shirt! Available in sizes small -XXL. Specify your choice of logo with image 1. or 2. on the order form. Comes in white only.
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AlzAuthors Podcast Co-Host Christy Byrne Yates on Heart of Hospice Pod
Christy met with Helen Bauer of The Heart of Hospice Podcast to talk about the caregiver "sandwich," those caught between raising kids and caring for elders. With 500+ episodes, the podcast provides information and education so caregivers assisting someone with a serious illness can make informed choices about end of life care. Christy has experienced all the unique challenges of sandwich caregiving and now shares what she's learned with other caregivers through speaking, writing, podcasting, and coaching. In this open and honest conversation, she shares the good times and the struggles of her caregiving experience caring for both parents with neurodegenerative diseases (dementia and Alzheimer’s disease) while she raised young kids.
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Start Spreading the News . . .
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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Take a Chance on Our 10th Anniversary Book Giveaway!
Winners selected monthly!
First three winners were chosen!
Watch your email inbox for notification!
Enter once to win all year.
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2025 Books & Chit Chat, Podcasts, and AlzAuthors Live! Virtual Events
5/27 - Books & Chit Chat with Peter Berry and Deb Bunt, Slow Puncture: Living Well with Dementia, a memoir, and Walk With Me: Musing Through the Dementia Fog, poetry
6/4 - NEW AUTHOR: Alfredo Botello, Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver
6/24 - Books & Chit Chat with Jean Lee, Alzheimer’s Daughter, a caring for two parents memoir
7/2 - NEW AUTHOR: Marjorie Maddox, Seeing Things, a poetry collection
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Love Podcasts?
If you enjoy listening to podcasts, check out the resources for caregivers on the Whole Care Network's Streaming Radio App. You'll discover a number of informative and inspirational podcasts dedicated to the caregiving journey.
Available in the Apple store and Google Play.
Disclaimer: Our Untangling Alzheimer's and Dementia podcast is supported by the Whole Care Network.
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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!
AlzAuthors has hundreds of valuable resources that offer practical advice and heartfelt guidance to support caregivers on the #Alzheimers and #dementia journey. Visit our website to learn more! https://alzauthors.com/
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We have so much to learn . . .
Friday, May 30th, at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET: Certified Medicaid Planner Michael Guerrero joins Being Patient Live Talks to share his tips for navigating the complicated Medicaid application process, and he will provide actionable insight on how Medicaid can help with dementia care. RSVP to learn more!
WHEN: Friday, May 30th, 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
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Join Books & Chit Chat book club
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Submit Your Book, Blog, or other Resource
Share this newsletter with others on a dementia journey
Visit us on The Whole Care Network
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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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