When Your Parent Becomes Your Child A Journey of Faith Through My Mother’s Dementia

By Ken Abraham
Published by Thomas Nelson          Purchase Here

Description:

At first, Ken Abraham wrote off his mother’s changes in behavior as quirks that just come with old age. There was memory loss, physical decline, hygiene issues, paranoia, and uncharacteristic attitudes. He soon realized that dementia had changed her life—and his familiy’s—forever.

“How is it possible to lose a loved one while he or she is still living, still sitting right in front of you, talking with you, smiling at you—and yet the person you have known and loved for years is somehow gone?”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. That’s one in eight older Americans. More than likely, that figure includes someone you know and love.

As he chronicles his own mother’s degenerative condition, New York Times best-selling writer Ken Abraham educates while offering inspiration to help readers cope with and manage their family circumstances. With humor and spiritual reminders of God’s command to honor our parents, Abraham encourages readers through often-difficult responsibilities. And though in most cases patients will not recover this side of heaven, he suggests many practical things that families can do to make the experience safer, kinder, and more endurable for everyone involved.

When Your parent Becomes Your Child tells the story of one family’s journey through dementia while offering hope to family members and friends, that they might better understand the effects of the disease. Dont let this catch you by surprise—be informed before you face the challenges and difficulties of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This book can help.

My Review:

As I’m facing the fact that my mom has dementia, I thought I’d review “When Your Parent Becomes Your Child” by Ken Abraham.  It’s a true story, so I thought it would be easier to relate … and I was right.  This book outlines the journey that Abraham had to go through with his mom’s dementia journey.  It outlines the path that I will undoubtedly be on!  It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone and that others are also on that same path; however scary it will be.  Going on the path with knowledge certainly makes the journey less “grey”.

I have started noticing how my mom is no longer that same mom that I’ve known all of my life … Abraham explains this “feeling” very clearly.  Memory loss, physical decline, hygiene issues, paranoia and uncharacteristic attitudes … yes, dementia definitely changes an entire family’s life!  I know it’s changing my life already.

Understanding the effects of this disease will help; which is why I was drawn to this book.  Abraham offers inspiration and ways to cope with the difficult responsibility that I will soon be facing: caring for my parent.

I’m so happy I had the opportunity to read “When Your Parent Becomes Your Child”, and suggest that my friends, peers, and family read it too!  It’s a definite tool in preparing for what lies ahead.