The Caregiver’s Spin Cycle: Lessons, Laughter, and Life with Alfredo Botello
Jun 04, 2025 1:01 am
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Hello ,
It's June, which means it's Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month in the States. We’re excited to highlight a truly unique voice in dementia fiction—Alfredo Botello, author of the novel Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver. In our latest podcast episode, hosts Christy and Marianne, along with acquisitions editor Ruth Stevens, share laughs, poignant moments, and thoughtful reflections with Alfredo about his creative process, caregiving journey, and the important role of fiction in understanding dementia.
In This Episode:
- A New Spin on Caregiving: Alfredo, an architect-turned-novelist and screenwriter (and dive bar owner!), drew from his deeply personal caregiving experience to write Spin Cycle, a witty and moving novel centered around Ezra, a high school teacher who copes with his mother’s dementia by starting a "school" in a strip mall for overwhelmed caregivers.
- Fiction as a Bridge: Ruth Stevens discusses the refreshing originality of Alfredo’s book, praising its balance of heartbreak and humor. As Ruth says, “Fiction plays kind of a different role and affects the reader in a different way.” Alfredo’s story explores the challenges, guilt, and even absurdity caregivers face—but also the moments of connection and humanity.
- Inside the Caregiver’s Journey: Alfredo candidly describes being “blindsided” by his mother's diagnosis, and how writing the book helped him process difficult emotions. He hopes it offers comfort for others struggling with the complexities of caring for a parent.
Read More & Get Involved: Visit AlzAuthors.com for Alfredo’s guest essay, our growing collection of dementia resources, and information about all upcoming events!
Where to Find Alfredo’s Work: You can get Spin Cycle in paperback, hardcover, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon. Visit Alfredo’s website at alfredobotello.com for more on his books, creative projects, and personal story.
Thank you for being part of our community and for sharing the journey—through stories, support, and heart.
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Our Next AlzAuthors Live! Event
Men make up about forty percent of caregivers, many of them caring for their wives or partners, but a great number of them caring for their mothers. The needs of caregivers vary greatly, but when we consider gender, we see that the needs of male caregivers, especially those caring for their mothers, may be unique. We’ll discuss this in our next AlzAuthors Live! virtual panel discussion "Caring for Mothers with Dementia - Three Sons Share Their Stories" on Monday, June 9th at 3 pm EDT / 12 pm PDT via Zoom.
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In Case You Missed It . . .
We’re delighted to share highlights from a 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.
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.
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Coming Up for Book Club
Jean Lee cared for two parents with Alzheimer's at the same time. Her memoir, Alzheimer's Daughter, is a heartfelt retelling of their journey through care and denial with a lifelong love story woven through. Jean shares her story of getting the diagnosis, the many moves required to keep her parents safe and together, and how she mitigated her ever present deep-rooted grief for taking over their lives, then writing her book. A perfect read for those caring for a parent with dementia. She is a founder of AlzAuthors.
This will be the last of the book club discussions for 2025.
We will resume next year.
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Online Caregiver Conference
Scan the QR code for details.
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Tony and Cat are in AARP Magazine
We're happy to share that AlzAuthor Anthony Copeland-Parker and his partner Cat were featured in an article on the value of exercise for people living with dementia and their caregivers in AARP Magazine. Tony is the author of Running All Over the World and its sequel One Footstep at a Time.
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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.
Barbara Drake-Vera shared this with us:
Thanks Barbara! She is the author of "Melted Away: A Memoir of Climate Change and Caregiving in Peru."
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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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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
6/9 - AlzAuthors Live! Caring for a Mother with Dementia: Three Sons Share Their Stories
6/24 - Books & Chit Chat with Jean Lee, Alzheimer’s Daughter, a caring for two parents memoir, RSVP here
7/2 - NEW AUTHOR: Marjorie Maddox, Seeing Things, a poetry collection
8/2 - Replay of Poetry for the Dementia Journey
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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
A world of support at your fingertips!
Please share this image with your friends and followers on social media using the following text, copy, paste and hit send!
AlzAuthors is the global community sharing hundreds of Alzheimer's and dementia resources created from personal experience to support caregivers and those affected by the disease. We offer personal stories, podcasts, blogs, films, special events, and so much more! https://alzauthors.com/
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We have so much to learn . . .
Friday, June 6th, at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET: Dementia advocate Robin McIntyre Johnson joins Being Patient Live Talks to share her story about carrying the Presenilin mutation for autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare and early-onset form of the disease. Over the last 13 years, McIntyre has lost 16 family members to Alzheimer’s before they turned 60. As of now, McIntyre is not symptomatic of early-onset Alzheimer’s — but her doctors have told her that they expect symptoms to begin within the next three years, by the time she turns 45. RSVP to learn more!
WHEN: Friday, June 6th, 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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Share your thoughts on AlzAuthors with the world.
This helps caregivers find us on the crowded internet. Submit your review here.
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Please note we are an Amazon Associate and there may be links to Amazon attached to book titles and images in this email. If you click on them and make a purchase, AlzAuthors may receive a small commission from these links at no additional charge to you or the author.
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