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Choosing Joy
Choosing Joy by Helene Berger is a book of hope, a personal journey from a woman who was determined to stay positive in the face of her husband’s diagnosis, and an inspiration to other caregivers.
Helene Berger began this book unwittingly, pieced together from a journal she began keeping after her husband Ady’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s. It describes her real life experiences – the mistakes and the successes that allowed the couple to build the best life possible in the face of this terrible illness. When Helen consciously chose to seek joy every day, both for herself and her husband, Ady began to experience a remarkable and unprecedented regeneration. During the last two years of his illness, he did what is often considered played Mozart on the piano, solved Sudoku puzzles, drew pictures, and wrote nightly love letters to his wife. Without downplaying the negative effects of Alzheimer’s, Helen writes about how she was able to craft a truly beautiful life for both of them. In addition to chronicling her individual journey, she offers the unthinkable to an Alzheimer’s caregiver – hope. She imparts strategies and advice for other caregivers to help make the final years of life together as positive as they can be. Ranging from to tips for avoiding confrontation to dealing with inappropriate behavior, these techniques serve to make life as an Alzheimer’s caregiver not only more bearable, but truly joyous.
Helene Berger began this book unwittingly, pieced together from a journal she began keeping after her husband Ady’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s. It describes her real life experiences – the mistakes and the successes that allowed the couple to build the best life possible in the face of this terrible illness. When Helen consciously chose to seek joy every day, both for herself and her husband, Ady began to experience a remarkable and unprecedented regeneration. During the last two years of his illness, he did what is often considered played Mozart on the piano, solved Sudoku puzzles, drew pictures, and wrote nightly love letters to his wife. Without downplaying the negative effects of Alzheimer’s, Helen writes about how she was able to craft a truly beautiful life for both of them. In addition to chronicling her individual journey, she offers the unthinkable to an Alzheimer’s caregiver – hope. She imparts strategies and advice for other caregivers to help make the final years of life together as positive as they can be. Ranging from to tips for avoiding confrontation to dealing with inappropriate behavior, these techniques serve to make life as an Alzheimer’s caregiver not only more bearable, but truly joyous.
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Published February 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 20, 2020
I just finished reading Choosing Joy by Helene Berger - WOW! I am overwhelmed with emotion after reading this book. This book has the potential of being a life-changer for all caregivers and their loved ones, who are suffering from Alzheimer's or any other disease. The message of this book demonstrates the power of positivity and offers clear, simple strategies for improving the quality of life of both the ones who are suffering from illness and those who love them. This book is a priceless gift to the reader from an author who is a truly beautiful person. I look forward to seeing interviews, podcasts, and articles promoting this huge contribution to the healthcare industry and to all people in general. The context of Choosing Joy has certainly had a great impact on my life. After reading this book, I have gained a better perspective and have become a more empathetic person. I simply cannot express the great significance and importance of this book to the quality of life of all - the sick, their caregivers, children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, friends. While the successful methods outlined in this book may not pertain to everyone, the premise and insights are there for one to adapt to their own unique situation. Don't get discouraged if you do not receive the same results, but please approach with the same attitude of this author. Do yourself a favor...read this book! Almost everyone can relate to it in their life, if not now, then at some time in the future.
June 3, 2019
I would like to Netgalley and Smith Publicity for the ARC of Choosing Joy.
In this book, Helene tells of how she cared for her husband Ady after he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. She gives a lot of advice and details all the strategies that have worked for her, turning a desperate situation into one of regeneration and hope. Having never been in such a situation, I can't judge how much is specific to this case and how much can be implementable to other patients, but I do believe everyone having to care for a patient with Alzheimers can get something out of this book.
This book is easy to read, and I loved having notes and drawings from Ady throughout the book as it made it more personal.
In this book, Helene tells of how she cared for her husband Ady after he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. She gives a lot of advice and details all the strategies that have worked for her, turning a desperate situation into one of regeneration and hope. Having never been in such a situation, I can't judge how much is specific to this case and how much can be implementable to other patients, but I do believe everyone having to care for a patient with Alzheimers can get something out of this book.
This book is easy to read, and I loved having notes and drawings from Ady throughout the book as it made it more personal.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews