Read With Us This Father's Day
Here at Intellicare, we understand the importance of family. As we work alongside of the team at Fraserview Care Lodge, we see how love brings friends and family members back time and time again. This Father’s Day, we wanted to recommend a few stories for those of you either suffering from or who are children of a father with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Of course, these biographies are sure to touch the hearts all readers, as we take a day to appreciate the fathers and father figures around us. Star ratings from GoodReads.com and various reviews will be included. Here’s to immersing ourselves in a day of love, reminiscence, and gratitude. Happy Father’s Day from Intellicare.
The Theft of Memory Jonathan Kozol
3.69 of 5 Stars
An esteemed family is touched by Alzheimer’s as Harry Kozol — who was respected in his contributions to the fields of forensic psychiatry and neuropsychiatry — is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His son, Jonathan Kozol — a renown nonfiction writer in the social sciences and activist against the desegregation in public schools — shares their story of a journey through family and mental illness.
“ This unique biography will have a long shelf life as a moving portrait of an extraordinary man, a window into the heart of one of our nation's foremost education activists, and a frank examination of how we come to terms with caregiving.” — GoodReads.com
“ Kozol clearly believes in the dignity of the human being, a value that goes beyond ‘productivity.’ And he believes in love.” — Ellie
“there are moments of almost poetic luminosity. Such as this: ‘...in his long and brave and dignified resistance to the darkness that progressively encircled him, there was, for me, no diminution — not in the essence of the person he had been, not in the admiration that I felt for him. This is why it was so hard to let him go.’”
What's Happening to Grandpa?
by Maria Shriver (Author), Sandra Speidel (Illustrator)
4.11 of 5 Stars
Maria Shriver’s book can act as an aid to helping children understand and accept Alzheimer’s. Inspired by her father’s on diagnosis of the disorder, she uses her daughter’s name Kate. It is not certain whether the occurrences are accurate depictions of events that happened, but the narrative carries the gentle voice of someone who has experienced it herself.
“Kate has always adored her grandpa's storytelling - but lately he's been repeating the same stories again and again. One day, he even forgets Kate's name. Her mother's patient explanations open Kate's eyes to what so many of the elderly must confront: Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss. Determined to support her grandfather, Kate explores ways to help him - and herself - cope by creating a photo album of their times together, memories that will remain in their hearts forever.” — GoodReads.com
Always My Grandpa: A Story for Children About Alzheimer's Disease
4.17 of 5 stars
Describing summer visits, and eventually a coming to terms from the eyes of a grandson, Linda Scacco does an excellent job of presenting a book for children. The story is written with clarity and empathy, and is a great book to read to kids as an introduction to Alzheimer’s.
“Daniel learns that since Grandpa has Alzheimer's disease, he will have trouble remembering all the things that belong to him-his clothes, his words, his memories-and eventually, his own grandson. Features gentle narrative and easy-to-understand explanations.” — GoodReads.com