Important (and classic) free book: Understanding the Dementia Experience

I downloaded and printed out this 27(?) page document several years ago, and made an extra copy for reference for friends and family. I found it to be the single most valuable of all the Alz. readings I have come across. The section on “apathy” provides an informative and comforting description of a stage of Alzheimer’s that can be puzzling and hurtful to loved ones if not understood. My copy is tattered and stained; DH passed in April, 13 years after initial MCI diagnosis, but the document remains on a bookshelf for safekeeping. Sadly, I fear I may need to share it again as my friends and family members age along with me. Thank you for the posting.

Northernlady, the diagnosis comes from the doctors, but they do not have the instructions (they are often shockingly ignorant of the facts of life with dementia). The best instruction manual there is, is other caregivers. And the best helpful caregivers I've run into are right here.

I too downloaded this and have read it several times. I agree with Beachfan that it is valuable reading. I just went back and reviewed the part of going back into memory. We are there now, and this made me understand.