Joining Joanie: Staying Connected to Your Loved One Through Dementia and Beyond

by Stephanie Banks, Valerie Banks Amster (Editor)

Do you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or a memory disorder? Are you challenged to find meaningful ways to converse and connect as the memory disorder progresses? Would you like to learn how to cultivate closeness, anticipate changing needs, keep a sense of humor, and live life to its fullest while caring for and loving someone with this disease? If so, then I wrote this book with you in mind. Join me on the journey with Joanie through the twists and turns of her lesser-known dementia. Frontotemporal dementia can develop in individuals as young as their 20s and is often initially misdiagnosed. Using my 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals with cognitive and memory disorders, as well as my personal experience supporting my mother Joanie, I offer nuggets of wisdom and entertaining anecdotes throughout these pages. This book is full of practical advice that can be immediately applied. It also offers a refreshing perspective regarding the importance of self-care and humor to keep you thriving on your journey.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2017

Reviews

[Susie Hindle Kher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joining Joanie is a ray of light on the heartbreaking, difficult journey of caring for someone with dementia. The author, Stephanie Banks Levenston, has written a heartfelt, beautiful memoir of caring for her mother as she succumbed to early onset dementia.

Stephanie describes how she honored her mother at different stages of her illness. This was so powerful I couldn’t stop thinking about it. There are so many fantastic ideas about how to help a person who is battling dementia retain their dignity when eating out, choosing clothing, grooming and hiring caregivers.

There are also recommendations for ways to stay connected to someone going through dementia – this is so helpful because as old ways of communicating and relating fall away, new ways of being with each other are needed. I’ve heard people comment that they don’t know what to say to someone who can’t communicate the way the used to, or who doesn’t remember a conversation from 10 minutes ago. Read this book!

Another aspect of the book that touched me deeply is that I could see the transformation of the author, Stephanie, over the course of her mother’s dementia. It was clearly a transformational journey for her as well, and, in the process, she discovered and embraced her ability to channel loving messages from the soul. There was a gift in her mother’s illness in that Stephanie’s intuitive side and her connection to Divine blossomed. She also connected with her dad in new and unexpected ways.

This helpful book doesn’t take long to read (a blessing!), but its impact will be with you for a long time.