Aliceheimer’s: Alzheimer’s Through the Looking Glass (Graphic Medicine)

As an artist, art therapist, and daughter of a mother with Alzheimers, I was thrilled, encouraged and comforted by this book. Walrath's format and excerpts of caring for her mother are creative and sensitively wrought. The illustrations are lively, humorous and provocative. The total work is framed as a journey of moments shared and transformed - both past and present. Her comments and direct responses are heartfelt and helpful. She has mastered the art of replies as caregiver that are direct, brief, honest - yet therapeutic. Not once did I have the sense that she was unaware of the person beneath the layers of the disease. The journey is difficult, yet brought back repeatedly as moments in time possible to simplify and reassure based on sensitivity, respect. Like the illustrations, these moments are open ended yet grounded. While informative, Aliceheimer's does not read like an instruction manual. It reads more like a love story, and a second chance at making a stronger connection. It reminds me that authenticity of the moment can be possible in this challenging journey. Many times I was surprised how Walrath could hit on the core of an incident, based on shared memories of her mother as well as present situation.

Aliceheimer's is Dana Walrath's loving gift to her mother who, having Alzheimers disease, could "read" the pictures but not words. The book offered me a new view of Alzheimer's--that it can be seen as another way of being, similar to belonging to another culture. Dana Walrath is both a clear writer and accomplished artist, and both inform the book.Dana's portrait of her mother is sympathetic without being maudlin, and it offers important insights. For example, that most Alzheimers sufferers have their social faculties intact. If you become tense around them, they will become tense too. Although the book is not a "how to" work at all, as a former caregiver, I wish this book had been available years ago when I cared for my grandmother. Given these insights, I would have done it better.

this is a lovely book to help contemplate living in partnership with someone with dementia. It is very positive in offering a paradigm for living with dementia and understanding how to be truly "with" the loved one who has dementia. I feel this book will be very helpful in educating and changing attitudes about dementia. I have several loved ones with dementia and have worked as volunteer with dementia patients.

This book is a funny look at life that isn't too funny when living it. But she did a great job showing the side of Alzheimers and getting through it with grace and as much dignity as one can. ( I thought she knew my Dad pretty well even though she was writing about her Mother.)

Just finished this book today. A stunningly beautiful read in both word and image. Everyone caring for someone with Alzheimer's will find wisdom and comfort in these pages. So glad my husband her Dana Walrath on VPR and told me about this.

The art work didn't help me, though I am sure creating it helped Walrath. Ia moire her courage and humor, but I like other graphic medical lit. books (EPILEPSY; MY DEGENERATION) much better.

A fascinating way to look at Alzheimer's disease. Artistic, insightful, poignant!

Happy

RE FRAMING DEMENTIAMedical anthropologist Positive approach to care giving is visually portrayed in an excellent manner and the idea differs from many other illness narratives where care giving is associated with burden .Dana Walrath has defined a new concept of re framing Dementia,she calls it is as opportunity to reciprocate love and affection.I recommend the book for all elders and family members to understand the 'unfinished business'

Completely satisfied by the prodict. Though took a little time arrived before the expected duration mentioned. But it is worth waiting, since the packing and other measures taken for the safety of the product were excellent.

Wonderful! With a parent with Alzheimer's this book was uplifting and helped me with a difficult time in my dad's journey.