Caring for my American Dad in Peru: An Alzheimer's Caregiving Odyssey with Barbara Drake-Vera

Dec 04, 2024 5:00 pm

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Hello ,

In this latest episode of the AlzAuthors podcast, we introduce Barbara Drake-Vera, author of the memoir "Melted Away: A Memoir of Climate Change and Caregiving in Peru." Marianne and Christy explore with Barbara her inspiring and unusual experience as a caregiver for her estranged father with Alzheimer's, moving him from the United States to Lima, Peru in the midst of his illness. Barbara's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of love, resilience, and cultural adaptation in caregiving.

Key Takeaways:

Cultural Adaptation in Caregiving: Barbara emphasizes how caregiving in Peru, with its culture of multigenerational living, provided a compassionate and effective environment for her father's care. This included better home healthcare access and the ability to integrate elders into everyday life.
Transformation through Caregiving: Caring for her father, despite their complex past, allowed Barbara to let go of old resentments and see him as a flawed human deserving of compassion. This transformation wasn't just for her father; it reshaped Barbara’s perspective on their relationship and on life itself.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about Barbara's unique experience and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. Her book "Melted Away" is a must-read, available on her website and various booksellers.

Start listening!

Watch on YouTube!

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In Case You Missed It . . .

In this replay of a recent Books & Chit Chat discussion with Carolyn Birrell, author of Walking with Fay: My Mother’s Uncharted Path into Dementia, Carolyn opens up about her deeply personal journey caring for her mother and the numerous challenges she faced along the way. She also shares the emotional story of the last days of her mother’s life during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. Her story is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of community support. Catch the full episode to hear Carolyn's invaluable insights and advice on navigating the complexities of dementia caregiving.

Start listening!

Watch on YouTube!

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What's Next for the Book Club

Please join us for our next book club discussion on Tuesday, December 10th at 7 pm EST via Zoom as we meet Malia Kline, co-author with her sister, Dr. Diane Stinson, of the memoir "Sisterly Shove," which details their story of caring bicoastally for their parents, one with pancreatic cancer, the other with dementia. As the title suggests, they did not always agree on care plans and caregiving styles.

Readers say:

A fascinating look behind the scenes of the struggle that can go on when two sisters are caring for loved ones.
Patience and compassion with a dose of humor.
A brilliant book about family and the challenges life brings in dealing with aging parents. It demonstrates how love, understanding, forgiveness, compassion and generosity can overcome great odds.

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

Learn more about Malia

Buy the book

Register here to get the link to the Zoom meetings

Please visit our book club partner at agingamazing.com.

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Gift a Custom Caregiver Collection

A book is a gift that keeps on giving. To help families find their way on a dementia journey, we would like to gift Custom Caregiver Collections to worthy organizations around the country. Please send us the name of a senior center, support group, memory cafe, senior living community or other group that would benefit from one of our tabletop libraries filled with 15-20 dementia memoirs, novels, caregiving guides and other resources. To nominate a group or organization for the gift of a Custom Caregiver Collection, reply to this email with the name of the organization, a contact person and email address.

May you be blessed during this season of giving.

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Watch Our YouTube Series on Caregiving and Conflict During the Holidays with Kim Best

The holidays are here! For many people, this season can be a period of anxiety and unrest. We may be expected to attend festivities with others with whom we harbor misunderstandings, tension, and grudges. This can make what should be a joyous time stressful and unpleasant. In this video series, Kimberly Best, RN, MA, professional mediator, discusses how to manage family conflict, especially around the holidays. This is particularly helpful for caregivers. Kimberly is the author of How to Live Forever: A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story.

Watch now!

Download her free tip sheets:

"6 Tips to Manage Potential Family Conflicts During the Holidays"

“10 Tips to Create a Holiday to Remember”

Learn more about Kim here.

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Purchase our beautiful Anthology "Poetry for the Dementia Journey"

43 poets, 117 poems written from personal experience

Available in paperback and Kindle

Buy now!

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Don't Miss Out on This Great Sale

You'll find dozens of great gift ideas for the caregivers in your life (including yourself) and will help spread the word about AlzAuthors in our end-of-year holiday sale. Enjoy savings of 25% and FREE standard shipping.

Don't delay. Sale ends 12/6!

Start shopping!

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Set Sail on a Fun Cruise for Caregivers

Self Care at Sea, October 19-26, 2025! Join several of our friends in dementia world on this fun-filled cruise. Enjoy an unforgettable experience onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines new ship, Aqua, with fun-filled activities, educational sessions, and fantastic amenities. Explore the Caribbean ports and join in the excitement of Beach Olympics at Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), or opt for one of the thrilling shore excursions. It's the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure! Starts and ends in Miami with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands); Tortola (British Virgin Islands); and Bahamas.

Get details here

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Alzheimer’s advocate Dan Jaworski joins Being Patient Live Talks to discuss his experience getting diagnosed with MCI and later Alzheimer’s disease. He’ll also speak about his training and continued involvement in IRONMAN competitions. RSVP to learn more about his story and experience with diagnosis.

WHEN: Friday, December 13th at 10 a.m PT/1 p.m. ET.

WHERE: Being Patient’s Facebook page

RSVP

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Our Coming Events

12/10 - Books & Chit Chat with Malia Kline, Sisterly Shove

12/18 - Replay of Books & Chit Chat with Malia Kline on podcast and YouTube

12/25 - HOLIDAY BREAK

1/1 - HOLIDAY BREAK

1/8 - NEW AUTHOR: Allison Applebaum, Ph.D, Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving

1/22 - Replay of Caring for Two Parents with Dementia at the Same Time on podcast and YouTube

1/28 - Books & Chit Chat with Mary Crescenzo, The Planet Alzheimer’s Guide: 8 Ways the Arts Can Transform the Life of Your Loved One and Your Own, a caregiver guide

2/5 - NEW AUTHOR: Debra Hallissey, A Relationship Contract for Dementia Caregivers: Navigating the Complexities and Challenges of Caring for the Memory Impaired

2/18 - The Long Haul: When Caregiving Lasts More Than Ten Years, a virtual Q&A

2/19 - Replay of Books & Chit Chat with Mary Crescenzo on podcast and YouTube

2/25 - Books & Chit Chat with Susan Landeis, In Search of Rainbows: a daughter’s story of loss, hope, and redemption, a caring for mother memoir

3/5 - NEW AUTHOR: Marilyn Raichle, Don’t Walk Away: A Care Partner’s Journey

3/19 - Replay of Books & Chit Chat with Susan Landeis on podcast and YouTube

3/25 - Books & Chit Chat with Debra Tann, Ed.D, The Race of Dementia, a caregiver guide

4/2 - NEW AUTHOR: David Bredbenner, Going Home, A Journey with Dementia

4/22 - Books & Chit Chat with Marita Golden. The Wide Circumference of Love, a novel

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

6/24 - Books & Chit Chat with Jean Lee, Alzheimer’s Daughter, a caring for two parents memoir

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Susan's Design of the Week

Please share this with your friends and followers on social media using the following text, copy, paste and hit send!

This season, keep the light of hope and love shining brightly in your heart. #AlzAuthors helps you navigate the #Alzheimers and #dementia journey with valuable resources to support and uplift you along the way. https://alzauthors.com/

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