Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease

by Jade C. Angelica

“ Where Two Worlds Touch is an accessible and compassionate guide to understanding and loving someone with Alzheimer's. Through her own personal experience and spiritual training, Jade Angelica offers a shift in perspective about Alzheimer's that shines a loving light on what is still there instead of what is lost. This is the book I wished for when my grandmother had Alzheimer's.” —Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice In 2001, Jade Angelica's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, and thus began a surprising and transformative journey for both mother and daughter. From the early stages of the disease until her mother died, Angelica was dedicated to her mother's care, and in that time she learned a lot about grief, relationship, the nature of selfhood, and the unexpected gifts of Alzheimer's Disease. She also found a purpose and embarked on her life's work—to teach that people with Alzheimer's can have relationships, meaningful lives, joy, and growth. Where Two Worlds Touch is both a spiritual memoir and a pastoral guide for those who love someone with Alzheimer's. It offers heartfelt wisdom on preserving connection, self-care, and staying open to the possibility of grace.

360 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 2013

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Where Two Worlds Touch is an accessible and compassionate guide to understanding and loving someone with Alzheimer's Through her own personal experience and spiritual training, Jade Angelica offers a shift in perspective about Alzheimer's that shines a loving light on what is still there instead of what is lost. This is the book I wished for when my grandmother had Alzheimer's." -- Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author, Still Alice

[Sonia Schoenfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend this book with reservations. The author had valuable insights and some bits of wisdom that I was able to put in to practice with my own mom who is living with Alzheimer's right now. The author's tone is very calming and she is very good at expressing the characteristics of patience and living in the "now," as well as forgiveness and reconciliation. The parts that I didn't like about the book were that the author told her story in a round-about way instead of a linear story; her own background as well as her relationship with her mom was revealed gradually, so for me the book was a bit slow. She brought in lots of other authorities' voices which also slowed the book down for me. The spiritual journey was less Christian than I was hoping for, but that's not her fault, she was writing from her own spiritual perspective which is totally valid. What it comes down to for me is that Alzheimer's disease is complex and different for everyone, whether you have the disease or love someone who does. And for those of us who love someone with Alzheimer's, we take what we can use from whatever source we find in order to show that love as much as we can. This book helped.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different perspective on how to interact with loved ones or anyone really with dementia. Has helped me look at it more as a spiritual journey with my mom. Discovering many holy moments through this journey.
All caregivers should read this book, whether professional or personal practice

[Debbie Prunty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jade Angelica provides great insight into Alzheimer's Disease. She motivates care partners to embrace the true value in life that we can find from those afflicted by Alzheimer's. My thinking and attitude about the disease has changed from reading this book.

[Tracy Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving autobiography of living with a parent declining into Alzheimer's and the vital ways of engaging that the author discovered and honed to deal differently with the symptoms od the disease than have been traditional in the care establishment. Vital reading for anyone engaged in relationship with an Alzheimer's patient or loved one.