The Long Goodbye

by Keri Kitay

Genres: Memoir

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written from the perspective of a supportive Jewish family, covering others briefly towards the end of the book. As the author says everyone’s experience is individual and therefore unique.

[Lise Kempler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a journey. Thank you for sharing such a raw and honest account of your Mom's deterioration from Alzheimer's. This is so important to read and share as it provides a true perspective of what it's like when someone you love suffers from this condition. I especially appreciated the multiple perspectives, including direct quotes from your brother Ricky's notes, your Mom's and her psychologist's diary, as well as references to others who have faced similar yet different battles with their parents. The stories of her deterioration, moments of awareness, and times of confusion were incredibly real. The depiction of your Mom before Alzheimer's, and how her kind, caring qualities stayed with her until the end, was beautiful. I appreciated seeing the challenges you faced in choosing and moving your Mom between homes, and hope things will improve for others in the future. The chapter on prevention was excellent too, offering a concise checklist of things to practise for healthy ageing. Your love for your family is felt on every page, and evident in how all of you always wanted the best for your Mom. P.S. can't wait to try making those bran muffins.

[Annie Booker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching but also has lots of helpful information for other families whose lives are affected by this awful disease.

[Susan Belperio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart breaking account of Keri's Mum's journey with early onset Alzheimers dementia. Keri and her family witness what too many families are forced to endure these days, with dementia being the number one killer of women in Australia. The aged care and healthcare systems are ill equipped to deal with this tsunami. Though the bravery and courage of people like Keri, this story of personal tragedy becomes much bigger than her story, and that of her Mum and her family. It becomes something that we all must face, focussing on the known factors that can enhance our brain health and possibly delay the onset of dementia if we are genetically programmed to develop it. Education and research into early detection and much needed medications which could treat or reverse the condition, are much needed. Books like this shine a spotlight on these important issues. This book should be an essential educational resource for everyone, but in particular those who work in the aged care industry, and our politicians and policy makers who are responsible for allocating funds for vital research. The cover artwork was done by Keri's Mum in one of her art classes. It is a poignant and touching tribute, and altogether and elegant work with such meaning in having been chosen for the cover. On this occasion, I have judged this book by its cover and deservedly so.