Open A Window: Alzheimer's Caregiver Handbook

by Fay Risner

Review for Open A Window This book shares what is possible if we allow a person with Alzheimer's to "be" who they are right now. Thank you for "opening" a window, Fay. Jolene Brackey Alzheimer's speaker and author of "Creating Moments Of Joy" This caregiver handbook is designed to help care for people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia illnesses in the home, hospital, nursing home or home health settings. As a Certified Nurse Aide for fifteen years, I learned with my on the job training how to work with the residents at the nursing home. My ten years of experience helping my mother take care of my father was valuable to my work at the nursing home, and what I learned at the nursing home helped me take care of my father. Until I retired from the nursing home, I was a volunteer on the local Alzheimer's Association Outreach program from 1999 to 2008. I spoke to many groups in my area to educate them about Alzheimer's, and I facilitated an Alzheimer's support group at the nursing home. Because of my efforts I was awarded in 2004 Nurse Aide of the year by the Iowa Health Care Association and in 2006 Excellence for Professional Caregiver Award from the Alzheimer's Association in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2008

About the author

I live with my husband on a central Iowa acreage. Now that I've retired from my CNA job at the local nursing home, I divide my time between writing, enjoying country life, gardening and fishing.

My books, with 12 font print, are reader friendly.I writes a contemporary Amish fiction series set in Iowa, a historical mystery series with a Midwestern Iowa small town flair and Stringbean Hooper westerns. The stories pull readers into the scenes, making it hard for them to put the books down until the end. Each book leaves readers wanting another book in the series to see what happens to the characters next.

After my father had Alzheimer's, my interest in helping caregivers led me to write two books on the subject. My work as a CNA gave her much insight and experience with this disease. I was awarded the 2004 Nurse Aide award from the Iowa Health Care Association and the 2006 Professional Caregiver Award from the North Central Iowa Alzheimer's Association. I've been a volunteer speaker for the Alzheimer's Association and facilitated an Alzheimer's support group for many years.

My online bookstore website is http/:www.booksbyfaybookstore.weebly.comfor my paperback books, reviews and blog. By selling from my bookstore, I'm able to sign the books for buyers.
My author site is at http:/www.writersownwords.com/booksbyfay
where you can find my blog and announcements of book releases and events.