By Marianne Sciucco, New York, US
This is the replay of our inaugural book club discussion with our friends at Aging & Amazing. “Books & Chit Chat” is a monthly book club featuring a title from the AlzAuthors collection. Throughout the month, readers participate in a discussion in the book club’s Circle community at Aging & Amazing, then meet with the author for an in-depth discussion of the book and the caregiving journey. The online discussions are moderated by Andrea Couture, whom we meet during this first of the discussions on January 30, 2024.
Andrea, also known as Drea, is the author of “Embracing What Remains,” a moving memoir chronicling her experience as a young caregiver for her father during his dementia journey while simultaneously raising her own young children. As an advocate for Alzheimer’s and dementia, Andrea’s insight into the challenges and emotional toll of balancing caregiving responsibilities with motherhood offers a unique perspective that resonates with many caregivers. Her poignant storytelling and candid reflections provide a relatable and authentic portrayal of the complexities of caring for a loved one with dementia. Andrea’s ability to navigate the delicate balance between her roles as a daughter, mother, and caregiver shines through in her memoir, making her a valuable voice in the Alzheimer’s and dementia community. Andrea is a member of the AlzAuthors management team specializing in acquisitions and serving as book club moderator.
Quotes:
“I grieved for both of them as I witnessed their relationship change and morph into something completely different than I had ever known.”
“It was a big turning point when we realized that, as sad as it was, these were things we thought we couldn’t do without my dad, and we could.”
In this episode, you will:
- Develop resilience and new strategies for managing the unique obstacles faced by young caregivers.
- Uncover insights for coping with the emotional impact of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and find ways to protect your own well-being.
- Discover meaningful moments and ways to infuse positivity into the caregiving journey.
- Learn about the crucial role of therapy in maintaining mental and emotional health while providing care for a loved one with dementia.
- Explore the therapeutic benefits of expressing and reflecting on your caregiving experiences through writing a memoir.
- Understand how the COVID pandemic impacted caregivers
After the Podcast
Register for Books & Chit Chat
Purchase Embracing What Remains, which is available as a paperback, Kindle edition and on Audible
Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission on book sales at no cost to you
Read Andrea’s AlzAuthors post: Andrea Couture Wrote the Book She Yearned for on Her Dementia Journey
Listen to Andrea’s podcast “Behind the Mask: COVID, Kids and Caregiving”
See Andrea on the AlzAuthors Live virtual panel discussion “When Dad Has Dementia”
About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
Thanks for listening.
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