Washington, DC – Seasons of Caring: Meditations for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers (available from CreateSpace) is a book for anyone who loves and cares for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Seasons of Caring contains more than 140 original meditations from faith leaders and care specialists representing a wide and diverse range of major religious traditions, including Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Muslim, Presbyterian, Sikh and Unitarian Universalist among others.
The book is written for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, their families and friends, clergy and faith leaders, and care professionals. It will have special meaning for facilitators and members of Alzheimer’s support groups, and serve as a catalyst for group reflection, discussion and individual meditation. Each of the 72 contributors – many caregivers themselves – draws upon his or her years of experience to offer words of hope, encouragement and understanding to those on the dreaded Alzheimer’s journey, giving voice to the unique challenges confronting Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. The authors speak from the perspective of their distinct faith traditions, yet are united in their support of individuals and families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“I hope that Seasons of Caring brings you comfort, inspiration and spiritual growth during a deeply challenging time,” said Trish Vradenburg, co-founder of USAgainstAlzheimer’s, who wrote the foreword to the book. “Every contact with an Alzheimer’s sufferer is important and felt on some level, whether they can express it or not, and we should keep trying to reach them despite the immense challenges in doing so. The beautiful meditations in this book offer encouragement, empathy and understanding, both to Alzheimer’s caregivers and patients themselves.”
Seasons of Caring is a project of ClergyAgainstAlzheimer’s, a multifaith national network of clergy, laity and faith organizations working to focus our nation’s attention on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, to promote dignity and compassionate care for those with Alzheimer’s, and to support families and caregivers. ClergyAgainstAlzheimer’s is a network of USAgainstAlzheimer’s, an entrepreneurial and disruptive organization demanding a solution to Alzheimer’s by 2020.
Meditation contributors include:
- Dr. Jade C. Angelica, author of Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer’s Disease and Founder of Healing Moments™ Alzheimer’s Ministry
- Deacon Michael Francis Curren, Senior Vice President, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
- Olivia Hoblitzelle, author of Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand Sorrows: A Couple’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s
- Rabbi Cary Kozberg, Director of Spiritual Life, Wexner Heritage Village and author of Honoring Broken Tablets: A Jewish Response to Dementia
- John T. McFadden, co-author of Aging Together: Dementia, Friendship, and Flourishing Communities
- Richard Morgan & Dr. Jane Thibault, authors of No Act of Love is Ever Wasted: The Spirituality of Caring for People with Dementia
- Nell Noonan, author of Not Alone: Encouragement for Caregivers and Meditations for Church School Teachers
- Flores Green Reynolds, African American Dementia Outreach Partnership, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky
- Marty Richards, author of Caresharing: A Reciprocal Approach to Caregiving
Meryl Comer, author of the New York Times best seller Slow Dancing with a Stranger: Lost and Found in the Age of Alzheimer’s, said, “Seasons of Caring offers solace and comfort to help families live in the moment with their loved ones. We need to believe that we are reaching a loved one at some level because deep down we know that Alzheimer’s will ultimately win out.”
Alzheimer’s affects 5.4 million people and 15.5 million caregivers in the U.S. and 44 million people and more than 100 million caregivers worldwide. Recent independent research shows that it is the third leading cause of death and the most expensive health condition in the U.S., outranking cancer and HIV/AIDS as a looming public health and fiscal issue. It is the only disease in the top ten that currently has no cure, treatment or prevention. Yet it receives dramatically less government funding, industry focus or scientific study than other less widespread diseases.
“The words of Pope Francis bear repeating as they describe well both the intent of ClergyAgainstAlzheimer’s and Seasons of Caring,” said Lynda Everman, a contributor and editor. “‘Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope! And not only that…let us become bearers of hope!’”
More information about Seasons of Caring can be found at www.SeasonsofCaring.org.
To receive a copy of the book, or to schedule an interview:
