Understanding With Compassion: Help for Loved Ones and Caregivers of a Brain Illness Patient - Softcover

Aldrich, Joni James; Peterson, Neysa M., RN

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1453786961 ISBN 13: 9781453786963

Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub, 2011

Synopsis

Understanding the world through their eyes... This book candidly discusses the challenges of living with the personality and behavior changes that a brain illness brings. When a family member or friend is diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's disease or a stroke, life as you know it has ended. As changes become more apparent, they may look the same, and sound the same, but he or she is not the same. His or her personality may change sometimes in extreme ways. A kind person may become angry and say hurtful things. A warm, upbeat person may withdraw or behave in destructive ways. In short, the essence of your loved one can gradually disappear, even as he or she continues to live. How you change with the change is critical. Joni Aldrich and Neysa Peterson both cared for a spouse with a brain illness. They've combined their insights in this straight-talking guide. Readers will learn: * How to create and maintain a warm, comfortable, and safe environment. * How to deal with changes in personality, behavior, and emotions, including loss of social inhibition skills. *How to handle issues related to changes in memory and the resulting confusion. * How to work through indifference, sadness, and depression towards some peace. * How to cope with destructive behavior; safety is your number one concern! You can continue to love and be loved as you brave the days that follow a brain illness diagnosis. Understanding with Compassion lightens your burden by providing tools to help caregivers and patients alike make the most of the journey that lies ahead.

About this title

About the Author

When author Joni Aldrich met Neysa Peterson, something amazing happened. As they discussed issues that they had been through with their spouses who had both died of brain illnesses, Joni began to realize that there was a similarity. The idea dawned that their stories could help others going through the sometimes traumatic journey of caring for a loved one with the mental and behavioral changes that a brain illness can bring. As their friendship grew, so did the need to provide this information that can bridge the worlds between caregiver and care receiver. A bonus is that this knowledge can even help to mend scars after the battle has been lost, just as Joni's wounds have been healed with Neysa's mentoring. This is Joni's fifth book "and possibly most powerful" on how to survive life's intense challenges. www.jonialdrich.com or www.understandingwithcompassion.com

Edition details

• Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1453786961
• ISBN 13: 9781453786963
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 135