Dignifying Dementia: A Caregiver's Struggle

by Elizabeth Tierney

Diagnosed with dementia in 1997, my husband, Jim, lived at home during his illness and died there in January 2006. I wish this story were fiction, but it is not. Dignifying Dementia is both a love story and an attempt to reach out to others who are living through or who will live through a similar tragedy.

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tina R Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing inside look at a tragedy unfolding before your eyes.

I found this book because I was looking for help,as we are going through this exact situation right now. After a few pages I immediately went online to purchase it even as I was reading it on kindle. Heartbreakingly honest, full of stories destined to stay on your mind long after you finish it, this book is a must read for anyone associated with a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. Please read it.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a terrific personal account of what taking care of someone with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is like. It gives more exposure to a lesser known type of dementia, although it's unfortunately most likely to be read by those who already know about it. It's a beautiful and sad story, but also made me smile and laugh and nod my head, as it is so similar to the experiences my family has had during the first couple of years since my mom's diagnosis. I love that she started out with the good days and helped us get to know her husband's personality. It really helped me understand and relate to the changes she saw in her husband as his condition worsened.

LBD is still not well known in much of the medical community and is generally not diagnosed early enough, often causing accelerated and irreversible decline its victims when given the wrong drugs. For more info on LBD, go to https://www.lbda.org/content/lewy-who

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a bit about a dementia patient and his caregiver but the writing was not good so I cannot rate it higher.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having a loved one with dementia is sad and it's also a struggle. They shouldn't ever be ignored or forgotten. My first e book.

[Kathleen Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

While on vacation, I had the chance to read Dignifying Dementia: A Caregiver’s Struggle by Elizabeth Tierney. First and foremost, this nonfiction book is a guide for caregivers offering all the nitty, gritty details of how difficult it is to personally care for a loved one at home through all the demanding stages of dementia from beginning to end. It is more than that, however, because it is also a beautiful love story.

Anyone seriously considering taking on the full-time responsibility of caring for a spouse, parent or loved one with any type of dementia should read this book for an insider’s look at the daunting challenges ahead. Not only are the odd symptoms and behavior of dementia sufferers explained, but also other concerns that caregivers may not think about as important in the earlier stages of the illness, like the extensive medical and personal supplies required, the need for a strong support network offering respite, the backbreaking labor and physical considerations, the importance of geographic location, weather emergencies and transportation issues. Dignifying Dementia offers a helpful guide so that caregivers might recognize potential problems in advance and prepare to eliminate future difficulties.

This documentation of Elizabeth Teirney’s nine-year caregiving journey with her ailing husband Jim proves her love and devotion without a doubt. She was ultimately successful with her goal to maintain her husband’s dignity throughout an illness that can easily strip the afflicted of every last trace of respect within the medical community and our impatient, fearful and uneducated society.

I truly admire the author for her efforts and the loving decisions she made on behalf of her husband, listening to his requests and remembering his desires all along the way, even when he was no longer able to communicate them. For example, as the illness progressed the author realized she must find a break from her caregiving duties and explored daycare options, but her husband objected to one particular dementia daycare program she explored. She immediately moved on to other alternative solutions within her own home because her husband did not like the atmosphere or people.

I would recommend anyone facing the task of dementia caregiving read this book for a positive example of what is really involved when caring for a loved one with dementia and how to do it on your own terms while keeping your loved one’s desires a priority along the way. Congratulations to Elizabeth Tierney for a caregiving job well done and for sharing her experience and discoveries. There is much to learn from her extraordinary example to provide the proper care for dementia patients with dignity and respect. I can’t think of any greater example of love.

[Rae Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gal is a survivor!
The book makes you laugh and cry - the author has written of her experience with such honesty and humor.

Mostly it is candid and revealing: a reposrt of happenings we can't know about until we're in the same boat - which so many of us may be.

Many of the comments on the book's blog suggest that it should be required reading for medical and caregiving practitioners.

[Joanne Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and heart-breaking book -- the best I've read so far on caring for someone with dementia with Lewy bodies. Tierney writes with eloquence about her struggle to get the medical establishment and home healthcare providers to treat her ailing husband with dignity. Her courage, dedication and love for her husband shine through on every page.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived through my grandmother's struggle to care for my grandfather while he had Alzheimer's, I know full well how this book illuminates what is a terrible journey. I'd recommend it to anyone who has a relative suffering with any sort of dementia.