Looking Past Dementia:

Learning From Those Who Live With It

by

Marysue Moses

Inspirational, informative, and useful tips, shared with care and love.

Looking Past Dementia: Learning From Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses is a unique discussion of dementia patients and how to relate to them again as people, rather than as the sum of their symptoms. Moses, a former activities director and dementia educator with years of hands-on experience, shares what she learned from residents of memory care units themselves, beginning with seeing them as the talented, worthy individuals they are. 

I appreciated how the author illustrated each point with supporting vignettes from her time in the field or from personal knowledge gained from her mother and grandmother, who both lived with Alzheimer's. Moses depicts a variety of typical interactions with residents with many forms and at different stages of cognitive decline. Readers who have had, or are currently in, a relationship with someone living with any of these conditions will relate to many of the stories, which accurately portray experiences common among those with loved ones in memory care. I wish that I had had access to this book when I was responsible for a good friend's care a couple of years ago; we were both so lost, confused, and frustrated. This book answered many questions I had then and offered sensible, creative ways I could have responded if I'd known about them. As our family members and beloved friends continue to age, I imagine there will be more opportunities to put what I read here to use, and I feel inspired to face those challenges with more confidence than last time. 

I recommend LOOKING PAST DEMENTIA to anyone in a relationship with someone experiencing cognitive decline. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.