But Then Something Happened: A Story of Everyday Dementia - Softcover

Carling, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 095730790X ISBN 13: 9780957307902

Publisher: Golden Books, 2012

Synopsis

'But Then Something Happened: A Story of Everyday Dementia' is a moving and highly topical memoir dealing with a subject never far from the news, the increase in dementia in families. It tells the story of one family hit by a double dose of dementia, as Dad, Fred, develops vascular dementia at the same time as Mum, Mary, is struck by Alzheimer's. Fred and Mary are a quirky long-married couple with a relationship that's unique, as all marriages are. The focus of the story is on what happens to their couple, their long love story, as both gradually lose their minds. And on what happens to their relationship with their daughter, Chris, the narrator, who falls into an 'amateur carer' role, groping her way uncertainly around 'the system', learning at first hand how dementia changes everything in ordinary and extraordinary ways. The memoir is in two parts: in Part One Chris tells the dramatic family story, with both warmth and humour. The writing is direct and honest, exploring the medical side of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia yet keeping the focus firmly on relationships and emotions. One highly original chapter includes 'Ten scenes of joy and sadness', written as mini-dramas to illustrate the way dementia sufferers still have a rich emotional life, a facet frequently ignored in the focus on dementia as loss of mind. Part Two is more reflective, a chance to stand back and ask questions such as why did we not see all this coming? It also provides an opportunity to examine what we can learn from dementia, the losses and (a very few) gains that dementia brings. A final Resources section lists organisations offering help and support.

About this title

Review:

'A wonderful book, beautifully written and a brilliant insight into so many facets of human life and how to cope with things. I have learnt so much about dementia.' Sian Livsey 'Written with great compassion and insight' Monique Turpin 'Chris describes herself as an 'amateur carer', yet in her book she covers every aspect of all that dementia can throw up. After she's told her story she outlines 'Ten life lessons from living with dementia', an exemplary text and guide and essential reading for all the professions involved. I highly recommend this book.' Sue Heiser, Journal of Dementia Care. 'The account is deeply insightful and always honest, sometimes criticising the insensitivity of doctors and others but also giving praise where it is due. The book will be helpful to anyone caring for a relative with dementia and also to all clinical and care staff who comes into contact with people with dementia, especially those in hospital and general practice.' John Wattis, Journal of Mental Health Nursing.

About the Author:

As well as being a carer, Chris Carling has had a varied career as a university lecturer, scriptwriter of award-winning training films, communications consultant, trainer, feature writer and most recently personal, business and career coach. Co-author of two books on communication ('Understanding Language' and The Limitations of Language', both Macmillan) she has also produced feature articles for national newspapers and magazines, ebooks on Overcoming Anxiety and Work Life Balance (Pansophix) and a long-running personal growth newsletter, Present Perfect, archived on her website. She lives and works in Cambridge.

About this edition

• Publisher: Golden Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 095730790X
• ISBN 13: 9780957307902
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240