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Are the Keys in the Freezer?: An Advocate's Guide For Alzheimer's and Other Dementias
Are the Keys in the Freezer?--An Advocate's Guide For Alzheimer's and Other Dementias is an artful blend of practical consumer advice and a compelling story of a family's search for answers as it grapples with their mother's descent into dementia. This well-researched book is a must-read for families looking for resources and ideas about care facilities, hospice, finances and costs of care, advance directives, and other topics about managing the affairs of the elderly. A story of conflict and of light-hearted moments, Are the Keys in the Freezer? is the rich personal testimony of a family's struggle to navigate the confusing world of dementia care choices for their mother. The book is an insider's guide to unraveling medical, legal, and regulatory issues that affect the quality of care for loved ones who cannot make care decisions for themselves. The book's easy, conversational tone turns complex issues into everyday language, making it an easy read for newcomers to the world of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
242 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2014
About the author
Patricia Woodell
4 books1 followerAuthors: Patricia Woodell, Brenda Niblock and Jeri Warner
Pat has written numerous technical publications for the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development in Anchorage where she worked for twelve years as a project manager and instructor.
After retirement, she volunteered for the Consumer Protection Division in the Washington State Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection. Pat received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, with majors in English literature and German literature, and a master’s degree in Asian studies from the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Philippines.
Brenda is a graduate of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and holds a master’s degree in science and teaching from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She is a retired health educator, having advocated for prevention of tobacco use for over two decades. Brenda volunteers as a public speaker and educator for Donate Life Northwest, promoting awareness of the need for more registered organ donors.
A transplant survivor herself, Brenda understands the importance of advocacy in medical issues, and uses this experience in her role as a facilitator for a liver transplant support group.
Jeri was a physical therapist for thirty-five years and retired after twenty-one years with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon. Her focus was orthopedics. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Jeri’s experience in the health-care field prepared her for working with older adults faced with the physical challenges of aging. Jeri is active in her community and volunteers as an English tutor for adults.
Pat has written numerous technical publications for the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development in Anchorage where she worked for twelve years as a project manager and instructor.
After retirement, she volunteered for the Consumer Protection Division in the Washington State Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection. Pat received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, with majors in English literature and German literature, and a master’s degree in Asian studies from the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Philippines.
Brenda is a graduate of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and holds a master’s degree in science and teaching from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She is a retired health educator, having advocated for prevention of tobacco use for over two decades. Brenda volunteers as a public speaker and educator for Donate Life Northwest, promoting awareness of the need for more registered organ donors.
A transplant survivor herself, Brenda understands the importance of advocacy in medical issues, and uses this experience in her role as a facilitator for a liver transplant support group.
Jeri was a physical therapist for thirty-five years and retired after twenty-one years with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon. Her focus was orthopedics. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.
Jeri’s experience in the health-care field prepared her for working with older adults faced with the physical challenges of aging. Jeri is active in her community and volunteers as an English tutor for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 25, 2017
I did a quick skim, and focussed on the one chapter that I needed the most right now (descriptions of dementia in plain language). I'm sure I'll visit the other chapters in depth a few days, as I am still trying to process much of what I have read and what I am seeing.
I greatly appreciate the clear language and experiences shared by the sisters. Compared to another book that I have been loaned (The 36-hour day) which looks really informative, I can actually read it while I am in this emotional state of that fluctuates among the emotions of denial, urgency, grief and sadness. Very very helpful....
I greatly appreciate the clear language and experiences shared by the sisters. Compared to another book that I have been loaned (The 36-hour day) which looks really informative, I can actually read it while I am in this emotional state of that fluctuates among the emotions of denial, urgency, grief and sadness. Very very helpful....
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September 1, 2020Did not finish - it was helpful, but I could not get through the entire thing page to page. My mother's nursing home provided some concise information that answered the rest of my questions and concerns. Still, a good book and well-written.
July 15, 2014
No one wants to think ahead to those decisions we may ultimately face in regards to our parents. However this book, "Are the Keys in the Freezer?". provides a first person personal look at what one family learned and went through together in regards to their mother.
The book is laid out in an easy to read manner. It covers briefly what exactly is dementia and the different stages of it. The book covers care facilities: how to choose one above another, cost factors, budgets to be able to afford one, the legal aspects, and of course the medical care aspects. Choosing a home is definitely not simply choosing the one closest to where you live. The book also covers hospice and advance care directives.
Also helpful is the resource list at the end for each chapter. These sisters consulted legal and medical professionals in writing this book.
The book is laid out in an easy to read manner. It covers briefly what exactly is dementia and the different stages of it. The book covers care facilities: how to choose one above another, cost factors, budgets to be able to afford one, the legal aspects, and of course the medical care aspects. Choosing a home is definitely not simply choosing the one closest to where you live. The book also covers hospice and advance care directives.
Also helpful is the resource list at the end for each chapter. These sisters consulted legal and medical professionals in writing this book.
July 10, 2014
I won this book through Goodreads and authors Patricia Woodell, Brenda Niblock, and Jeri Warner. Thank you for this opportunity.
This book isn't written like a research book or medical resource, yet that is exactly what it is. It offers advice that the groups of sisters who worked together to write this book wished they would've had and used while their mother was still alive.
It also includes handy little charts and lists with a great bibliography at the end.
Certain typos throughout the book made it difficult to read in certain places, but overall it was a nice book to have.
This book isn't written like a research book or medical resource, yet that is exactly what it is. It offers advice that the groups of sisters who worked together to write this book wished they would've had and used while their mother was still alive.
It also includes handy little charts and lists with a great bibliography at the end.
Certain typos throughout the book made it difficult to read in certain places, but overall it was a nice book to have.
January 17, 2016
Great book for families dealing with a parent with dementia. Informative but not preachy. Sisters sharing their experiences of taking care of their mother as they first figure out she has dementia and the years following.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews