The Heart of Caring in the Age of Forgetting, livre ebook

Millions of capable adults lose their memory each year, and someone must answer the call to care. When her spirited mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Diane-Allene Hull navigated a maze of confusion, caregiving decisions, and emotional reckoning. The Heart of Caring in the Age of Forgetting is an unflinching memoir that charts one woman’s journey through the evolving landscape of dementia—medical assessments, assisted-living facilities, broken systems, and moments of unexpected grace. The author tells a story of fierce devotion, inner strength, and the enduring power of human connection. As a seasoned physician assistant, Hull has cared for complex patients, yet she was shaken when her mother failed to recognize her. Spanning mild cognitive impairment to the final stages of dementia, this deeply personal narrative blends reflection, medical insight, and practical guidance for caregivers. Part memoir, part guide, and part call to action, The Heart of Caring in the Age of Forgetting explores how Alzheimer’s disease reshapes identity, family, and the meaning of presence. Along the way, Hull confronts painful truths, discovers her resilience, and poses a vital question: What does it truly mean to care?
Dedication
Prologue: A Tale to Remember
PART 1. THE CALLING TO CARE
1 Is This Normal Aging?
2 From Denial to Awareness
3 Diagnostic Uncertainty
4 When the Brain Breaks
5 Dementia in Italy
6 Assistance with Living
PART 2. INTO THE UNKNOWING
7 Adapting to Change
8 The Gospel According to Alzheimer’s
9 Rhythms of Change
10 Darkness Descends
11 Escaping the Care Shadows
12 The Language of Alzheimer’s
13 Compassion Meets Suffering
14 Rest and Reflection
PART 3. A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
15 Locked Inside Dementia Walls
16 Where There Is No Cure
17 There Must Be Care
18 Loving Kindness
19 Across the Horizon
20 Altared
Epilogue
CARE Compass
Resources for Caregivers
A Note to Readers
Acknowledgments
About the Artist
About the Author