Where's My Shoes?: My Father's Walk Through Alzheimer's

A beautiful story told by a young successful career-woman who put her life on old for a father who has Alzheimer's. Like me, Brenda Avadian was in her thirties when her life was disrupted by having a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In this beautifully written chronicle, Brenda shares that story and also includes a bibliography, helpful Web sites, and a very helpful list of "Ten Suggestions for Caregivers". Wonderful full-page photos of Brenda's father are included in this delightful book that should be on the reading list of every caregiver.

Thank you for writing such a wonderful story, I really enjoyed it. It was very easy to read.

Dick Brady, Consultant to the Senior Community: "Where's my shoes?," is vibrant testimony to courage in a neglected part of 1990's family life. Brenda Avadian takes the reader to that treasured part of the American past where family obligations were measured in deeds not in Hallmark cards. My own experience in dealing with Senior parents, suggests that committment and sacrifice are too often more generously offered to their children, than is ever returned in kind. "Honor thy parents" is often forgotten in times of authentic need. Alzheimer's and dementia are only the most obvious opportunities for "payback." Brenda has sounded just the right note for adult children, now and in the future.

I first met Brenda when she came to our support group. I witnessed and assisted in her journey with her father as she did with me with my husband. Brenda's courage, compassion and humor are an intregal part of this book. Her experiences in this book will help other people realize they are not alone, and to really enjoy and learn from every little or big event in their loved one's journey through Alzheimer's.

"Where's My Shoes?" is a must read for caregivers and families of all forms of dementia. This book has played an invaluable role in helping me to deal with my husband's recent death from multiple brain disorders. Although the author addresses the problems and trauma of Alzheimer's disease, her hardwon knowledge, understanding, wisdom and guidance extend a compassionate hand to all of us who are facing or have faced the travail of coping with these very difficult challenges.