This is the story of my mother and her metamorphosis -- the transformation of her personality brought about by the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease. It is also my story as her caregiver. Together we created this narrative in the looming shadow of Alzheimer's.
In a look through the window of time, this book gives an understanding of our mutual family dynamics and relationships. It reveals how we coped during the nine years Mother had Alzheimer's.
My hope in writing about our experiences with this mind- and life-altering disease is to give the reader, especially fellow caregivers, information to help them deal with friends or loved ones impaired by Alzheimer's. Included are my experiences with the medical establish-ment; doctors and hospitals, financial institutions, Department of Motor Vehicles, the Alzheimer's Association, a drug clinical trial, vetting board and care homes, a hospice, and in the end, grieving the loss of my mother.
I want to give hope and inspiration to caregivers; they need mental, emotional, and physical support. It was important for me to know that I wasn't alone with the sometimes daunting and intricate conundrums of caregiving. The support and advice of a board and care home broker, doctors, physical therapists, a lawyer, caregivers, and many others that I share, helped me and may give the reader valuable insights into their personal situation.
Along the way I too was transformed and grew personally as I learned acceptance and compassion. I offer to you the lightness of spiritual insights and moments of serendipity during my personal trials.
AVERY T. STONE honed her writing skills in adult education and community college courses and a writer's group that shared critiques among fellow members.
Working in administrative positions in the aerospace industry afforded many writing opportunities in the form of security and databank procedures as well as security presentations.
A nonfiction book in the form of a real-time combination biography and autobiography insisted on being written: her mother's life with Alzheimer's and Avery's experiences as her caregiver.
Avery currently resides in Orange County, California.
