At the time of this writing,
over fifty million Americans are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Taking Care of Barbara: A Journey Through Life and Alzheimer’s and 29 Insights
for Caregivers, was written especially for them. Taking Care of Barbara is both
a life-affirming account of an Alzheimer’s patient and her caregiver/sister,
and a how-to book for caregivers dealing with this devastating disease.
Thrown into the role of
her sister’s caregiver after decades of separation, Bonnie McGovern discovered
a silver lining. For years, Barbara’s angry, political fanaticism made
communication between the sisters difficult. But as the disease took over,
Barbara’s loving nature gradually returned, so that during the last period
her life, the love the two sisters had shared as children re-emerged and the
pain of their separation was healed.
As a biography, Taking
Care of Barbara is a fascinating tale of Barbara’s extraordinary life
journey, from a child to a globetrotting political and humanitarian activist,
working with leaders such as Julian Bond, to a child once again. As a how-to
book, Taking Care of Barbara offers hope and understanding to those mired
in the pain of an incurable illness, as well as 29 important tips that will
help make the journey much smoother.
In the end, Taking Care of Barbara offers caregivers strategies that will
help them experience a healthy, loving completion to their relationships with
their dying loved ones. Finally, the book assists them in helping their loved
ones leave their bodies with dignity and grace.
It provides a positive,
life-affirming message from beginning till end.
During her years as Barbara’s caregiver, the author sought out books
from other caregivers that would bring her hope and inspiration during those
very difficult times. Yet, few such books exist. Taking Care of Barbara was
written to help fill this unfortunate gap in caregiving. As the Alzheimer’s
epidemic worsens, the need for books like Taking Care of Barbara will continue
to grow.
