Life Lessons for Caregivers: Conversations Between God and Alzheimer's

Larry! Don't poke the baby with your cane. I'm not poking her. I'm just playing with her. You could hurt her. Now stop. Larry taps Cami on the head with his cane. I reach around him and grab it. He pulls it back and shouts: Give me that. That's my cane. You're not my mother! Larry had become a danger to others. A retired pastor who had collected an extensive library, he could not even read anymore, and his behavior was that of a young child. Darlene Saunders is a schoolteacher who cared for her Alzheimer's disease-afflicted husband, Larry. In Life Lessons for Caregivers, she portrays their years of dealing with Alzheimer's as a long-term learning program offering classes for sufferers and caregivers. Saunders had earlier cared for loved ones afflicted by dementia and other conditions. Though somewhat experienced, she needed to learn much more. God gave me a brain, and I intend to use it, she told herself. She studied Home Economics (learning about diet and dementia), Driver's Ed (taking away Larry's car keys), Administration (managing nursing home care), and other essentials for caregivers. Life Lessons for Caregivers shares the stories of Larry and other family members, combining experiences and anecdotes with the lessons Darlene Saunders learned from God, her loving Teacher. As you read, you'll marvel at God's care in the darkest hours.