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Stop and Smell the Garbage: A Caregiver's Story of Survival

Our walking path took us past a large garbage can that sat near an apartment complex. It was a favorite stopping point for dogs and Lucy, our willful terrier, pulled me over to it. I asked, "Oh, do you want to stop and smell the garbage?" Gery didn't appear to be paying attention, but not only was he listening, he decided I was talking to him. He walked resolutely to the garbage can, removed the lid, lowered his head and took an enthusiastic whiff." At age 56, Gery Sutton — a family physician specializing in geriatric medicine — was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. For three years, his wife was his full time caregiver. Because nothing in her background prepared her, she did what most caregivers do—she made it up as she went along. This is her painfully forthright account of the daily challenges, the failures and the unexpected triumphs. She gives realistic advice on caring for someone with dementia. She describes signs of Alzheimer’s that she saw and misinterpreted during the months before his diagnosis. She shares the coping mechanisms that helped her survive the illness and death of her husband. Finally, she describes her search for meaning at the bottom of a garbage can.Read more

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