Greenblat, C: Love, Loss, and Laughter: Seeing Alzheimer's Differently

Love, Loss, and Laughter challenges the typical perception of people with Alzheimer's as "empty shells," lost to themselves and others. Endorsed by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), this important work melds uplifting photographs with thoughtful text by the author, care partners, researchers, medical practitioners, social care providers, activists, and people living with dementia diagnoses. While research for a cure will one day bring an end to the problem, this inspirational book shows and tells how today we can achieve ADI's vision of a better life for people with dementia and their caregivers. While there is great sadness in losing one's cognitive abilities, family members and caregivers can share a wealth of love and moments of joy and laughter with people living with dementia. With the help of this book, our view of Alzheimer's can shift from "the long goodbye" to "the long hello." More than one hundred touching photographs-taken in homes, memory clinics, day programs, and residential centers around the world-are interwoven with insightful commentaries from contributors whose personal experiences and statements about good practices reinforce the author's message: people with dementia retain vital capacities.