I just read a long review by Ms. Bradley Bursack (or Bursack Bradley, sorry) about a novel called The Almost Moon, and responded that there is another out recently by Lisa Genova, Still Alice. I have yet to read it, and am personally more interested in first-person accounts of those who are in early to middle stages, and as far as one can go. I can definitely recommend a nonfiction book by Richard Taylor, called Alzheimer's From the Inside Out. I have read much of it, and find it helpful, touching, humorous in places, and the writer does a true service to all those dealing with memory loss themselves, or caretaking. There's no doubt that even if you just skip around, alighting on a chapter here and there that catches your attention with his wonderful piece titles, you'll gain understanding of what it's really like to live with progressing alzheimers from a professional who has it himself. Not much pity, Mr. Taylor is too busy recounting events from his life, calling for more services, philosophically questioning himself and others, and explaining how he'd like to be treated. My personal opinion is that every professional and caregiver should read it. I would rather read books like his than works of fiction. Fiction can help us learn lessons by escaping through literature; nonfiction like his can help us better appreciate what's really going on by not escaping. It's a beautiful book, best read a few sections at a time, and in any order.
I hope you decide to post responses about it if you read it.
Zeller
