Alzheimer’s – The Identity Thief of The 21st Century
Recommended Reading from Choice Connections of Virginia
Alzheimer’s – The Identity Thief of The 21st CenturyBy, Robert Schaefer
From the Author:
Alzheimer’s – The Identity Thief of The 21st Century is truly a love story that emphasizes the importance and significance of the wedding vows. Sarah’s and my story is one of exceptional faith, love, hope, humor, and understanding, and ultimately, healing. I wrote it as a special tribute to my wife’s Sarah’s memory, while at the same time hoping that it might make the same journey for other care-partners easier to bear, if that is at all possible to do.
Sarah in her twenties
More than 5.5 million American citizens have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Without an effective treament or cure, that number could easily triple over the next 20 years as 75 million baby boomers come of age; therefore, those words, Identity Thief ring so true in our society.
I want those powerful words to be on the mind of every care-partner. They are and were scary for Sarah and me, yet they were filled with conviction and hope. We stress that you are in charge of your own destiny, if you are willing to take chances. Care-partners must learn like we did to be proactive and to neutralize this horrendous disease with faith, hope, humor, love, patience, and understanding.
I saw myself and feel that most care-partners progress through five developmental stages during their journey through the world of Alzheimer’s disease. I have identified and devoted a chapter to each of these milestones to show how they changed and affected our lives. - Denial & Depression – Resentment Mixed with Anger – Alteration of Personality – Frenzy – Tolerance - are the progressive steps involved in the maturing of a care-partner.