Review of HOPE for the Alzheimer’s Journey
Posted: 14 Jul 2023, 02:36
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "HOPE for the Alzheimer's Journey" by Carol B. Amos.]
If you're a caregiver, you likely relate to this statement: “Providing care for someone is rewarding, but stressful.” (From H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer’s Journey: Help, Organization, Preparation and Education for the Road Ahead by Carol B. Amos, p.136.) Amos’ book details the experiences she and her brothers had with caring for their mother after she developed Alzheimer's disease. It’s really two books in one – part memoir and part handbook for caregivers, combining personal experience with extensive research and information, including takeaways from courses run by the Alzheimer’s Association.
In her book, Amos presents The Caregiving Principle (TM), an equation for calculating the difference between the needs a person can meet independently and the needs that must be fulfilled by a caregiver. (These needs are understood according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a model ranking the fundamentals of human well-being.) While this book is about Alzheimer’s disease, Amos notes that The Caregiving Principle (TM) could apply to others who need care, such as those with other diseases.
With this systematic approach forming its backbone, this book is a must-have for caregivers. I rate it five out of five stars because it excels in at least four important areas. Firstly, it is meaningfully organized and structured around different aspects of caring for an Alzheimer's patient. Each chapter is devoted to a particular topic. Amos’ personal story is often told through emails, which do not always follow a chronological order because they have been slotted into the most relevant chapter. It was pleasing to read a book that had been so thoughtfully put together.
In that connection, and secondly, this book stands out because it is so comprehensive. It’s packed with useful facts. For example, Amos notes that long-term care insurance may not always be the best option, depending on the patient’s assets. (Do note that the information is about the USA only.) Although factual, this book is not dry. Its conciseness - a third definite strength - makes it reader-friendly, and of course the facts are always interspersed with Amos’ personal experiences.
These contribute to a fourth asset of this book, namely, that Amos is honest about mistakes and weaknesses. For example, she admits that she struggled to be patient with her mother at times. However, compassion always won out. She and her brothers determined that they would not speak about their mother in front of her or mention her disease in front of others. One of the many pieces of information provided is that an Alzheimer's patient who has trouble speaking may still understand what others say.
This brings me to an insight I had while reading. I would assume no one wants to be a burden on their family and that everyone believes in always treating the elderly with dignity and respect. While that may be challenging in the face of a disease like Alzheimer’s, this well-researched, practical and compassionate book could really help to translate those ideals into reality.
Compassion is a religious tenet, and Amos is a devout Christian, as was her mother. She found succour in Bible passages about how tribulations make us stronger. Although one chapter of the book is devoted to Bible quotes, it is suitable for those of all faiths or none because non-Christians could easily substitute other inspiring material. That could be mentioned in a note to readers, as could the fact that those outside the USA would have to conduct their own research. Including such notes would represent a very slight improvement to a book which already deserves a perfect rating on the strength of its organization, thoroughness, practicality, clear writing and optimism, as discussed in detail above.
All in all, this book can make a real contribution to achieving the most favourable outcome possible in the face of a devastating diagnosis like Alzheimer’s. Much gratitude is due to Carol B. Amos for passing this “H.O.P.E.” on to others.
******
HOPE for the Alzheimer's Journey
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
If you're a caregiver, you likely relate to this statement: “Providing care for someone is rewarding, but stressful.” (From H.O.P.E. for the Alzheimer’s Journey: Help, Organization, Preparation and Education for the Road Ahead by Carol B. Amos, p.136.) Amos’ book details the experiences she and her brothers had with caring for their mother after she developed Alzheimer's disease. It’s really two books in one – part memoir and part handbook for caregivers, combining personal experience with extensive research and information, including takeaways from courses run by the Alzheimer’s Association.
In her book, Amos presents The Caregiving Principle (TM), an equation for calculating the difference between the needs a person can meet independently and the needs that must be fulfilled by a caregiver. (These needs are understood according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a model ranking the fundamentals of human well-being.) While this book is about Alzheimer’s disease, Amos notes that The Caregiving Principle (TM) could apply to others who need care, such as those with other diseases.
With this systematic approach forming its backbone, this book is a must-have for caregivers. I rate it five out of five stars because it excels in at least four important areas. Firstly, it is meaningfully organized and structured around different aspects of caring for an Alzheimer's patient. Each chapter is devoted to a particular topic. Amos’ personal story is often told through emails, which do not always follow a chronological order because they have been slotted into the most relevant chapter. It was pleasing to read a book that had been so thoughtfully put together.
In that connection, and secondly, this book stands out because it is so comprehensive. It’s packed with useful facts. For example, Amos notes that long-term care insurance may not always be the best option, depending on the patient’s assets. (Do note that the information is about the USA only.) Although factual, this book is not dry. Its conciseness - a third definite strength - makes it reader-friendly, and of course the facts are always interspersed with Amos’ personal experiences.
These contribute to a fourth asset of this book, namely, that Amos is honest about mistakes and weaknesses. For example, she admits that she struggled to be patient with her mother at times. However, compassion always won out. She and her brothers determined that they would not speak about their mother in front of her or mention her disease in front of others. One of the many pieces of information provided is that an Alzheimer's patient who has trouble speaking may still understand what others say.
This brings me to an insight I had while reading. I would assume no one wants to be a burden on their family and that everyone believes in always treating the elderly with dignity and respect. While that may be challenging in the face of a disease like Alzheimer’s, this well-researched, practical and compassionate book could really help to translate those ideals into reality.
Compassion is a religious tenet, and Amos is a devout Christian, as was her mother. She found succour in Bible passages about how tribulations make us stronger. Although one chapter of the book is devoted to Bible quotes, it is suitable for those of all faiths or none because non-Christians could easily substitute other inspiring material. That could be mentioned in a note to readers, as could the fact that those outside the USA would have to conduct their own research. Including such notes would represent a very slight improvement to a book which already deserves a perfect rating on the strength of its organization, thoroughness, practicality, clear writing and optimism, as discussed in detail above.
All in all, this book can make a real contribution to achieving the most favourable outcome possible in the face of a devastating diagnosis like Alzheimer’s. Much gratitude is due to Carol B. Amos for passing this “H.O.P.E.” on to others.
******
HOPE for the Alzheimer's Journey
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
