Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness

by Gary Joseph LeBlanc

When my father was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I read and researched everything I could get my hands on about the disease. Right off the bat I could tell if it was written by a physician, pharmaceutical company or even a nursing home. When caregivers are looking for help, the last thing they need is medical text so complex they already forgot what they read by the time it’s laid back down. This is what got me started on writing about common sense caregiving, which turned into a weekly column and now into this book.
My goal is to make this book as “caregiver friendly” as possible. Sharing my triumphs and hardships from my plus three-thousand day campaign in dealing with the disease of Alzheimer’s and the world of memory-impairment.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc is a columnist, speaker and book dealer from Spring Hill, Florida. He was the primary caregiver of his beloved father stricken with Alzheimer’s disease for nearly the past decade.

LeBlanc’s weekly column appears in the Hernando Today, a Tampa Tribune Publication and other health publications. His writings offer insight and hope through his own journey of caregiving, dealing with the memory-impaired, given in a caregiver friendly manner.

310 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2010

About the author

Gary Joseph LeBlanc , is the author of “Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness,” and co- author of “While I Still Can.” Also, a weekly columnist of “Common Sense Caregiving” published in the Tampa Tribune and Hernando Today and many other health publications.

His writings and speaking events utilize his 3,000 plus days and nights of personal caregiving experience to help other Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers cope with the everyday challenges and emotional struggles of caring for the memory-impaired.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you searching for a caregiver friendly book on how to survive (and do it well) while attempting to navigate the murky waters of the world of Alzheimer's,and other memory impairment diseases? Look no further! At Last! There is such a book! "Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness," by Gary Joseph LeBlanc. And it is an easy read, although NOT simplistic in nature. I found it to be full of tenderness, encouragement, humor, practical advice, a few tears, etc And, when approaching the last page, I truly hungered for MORE! Is there a sequel planned? PLEASE, Mr. LeBlanc. SAY IT IS SO!! Thank you so much for being vulnerable enough to reveal your private world of angst, sorrow, fear, frustration, humor, deep love, and a covenant to pursue excellence while caring for your precious father for over 3,000 days! WOW! What a commitment! As you put it so aptly in your introduction page titled simply, "Semper Fi," Always Faithful. This is a truism to live by, a way of life. A pledge to be steadfast by our loved one's side until they exhale his or her last breath on this earth!
Inspiring! This is a book, a manual of a personal nature with which to find answers to very hard daily quandaries.
Buy it! Share it! Quote it! You won't be sorry!

[Martha Stettinius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Joseph LeBlanc, a columnist, speaker, and book dealer who cared for his father with Alzheimer's disease for 10 years, has written an easy-to-read and informed guide for dementia caregivers. After caring for my mother for 8 years, and researching dementia for my memoir about caregiving, I appreciate LeBlanc's down-to-earth style as well as the accuracy of the information he shares. His anecdotes about caring for his father in his home, and his observations about dementia and the challenges of caregiving, are well-written and supported by current research. He covers a wide range of issues that caregivers are likely to encounter, from sleep issues, "sun-downing," and incontinence care to what to look for if you need to place your loved one in a facility, and the importance of seeking support as a caregiver. I recommend this book to anyone who's caring for a loved one or friend with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, whether around-the-clock at home, or from a distance. His advice is invaluable.

[Dmcleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any caregiver - an honest account about everything a caregiver may encounter with compassionate info on the behaviors of the father he cared for and helpful tips. Lots of encouragement. I will share the book with others who I think it could help.

[Fosdick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. You don't have to have anybody suffering from dementia to read this book. As long as you have someone to care for, even if you don't, this is a must-read.

[Karen Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

No longer alone

As my mother is spiraling downward with dementia, and although she is in a memory care facility, this book was so helpful for me.
Just seeing my feelings in print validated what we are both going through. This is not a journey to travel alone.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for first hand knowledge on caring for a loved one with dementia. Excellent ideas on coping.

[Sue Lin Andres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful. Insights that only a former caregiver could offer.

I find myself using some of the tips everyday with my mother. Thank you, Gary, for your continued care and support.