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Because We Care
Think about how many people need help and do not have family members to speak for them or take care of them. Think about how you can make a positive difference in someones Become A Caregiver. Learn how to protect yourself, your family and your children from Traumatic Brain Injury. Protecting the Elderly is so vital and important. Learn the Causes and Signs of Eldercare Abuse and help STOP IT!
Use this book as your guide.
This book is dedicated to two of the most amazing women in my My sister, Marcia Wallach who died from traumatic brain injury on July 8, 2010 and my mom, who made me strong, kind, responsible and Ruth Swerdloff who passed away on March 7, 2010. My mom had Alzheimers and many other heart related illnesses. She was my voice growing up and I was hers for the past 10 years. If I had to do it again I would.
Special thank you to the nurses on 9 North and 8 North in Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx for taking care of my mom and showing such understanding and compassion to all of your patients. To Daria Smith the nurse case manager and Anne the manager on 8 North you are so special and thank you for understanding my moms needs and helping me when I needed your assistance.
The proceeds from this book will go for patient care and research for those with Alzheimers Disease and research for a cure at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx.
Use this book as your guide.
This book is dedicated to two of the most amazing women in my My sister, Marcia Wallach who died from traumatic brain injury on July 8, 2010 and my mom, who made me strong, kind, responsible and Ruth Swerdloff who passed away on March 7, 2010. My mom had Alzheimers and many other heart related illnesses. She was my voice growing up and I was hers for the past 10 years. If I had to do it again I would.
Special thank you to the nurses on 9 North and 8 North in Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx for taking care of my mom and showing such understanding and compassion to all of your patients. To Daria Smith the nurse case manager and Anne the manager on 8 North you are so special and thank you for understanding my moms needs and helping me when I needed your assistance.
The proceeds from this book will go for patient care and research for those with Alzheimers Disease and research for a cure at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2011
14 people want to read
About the author
Fran Lewis
57 books148 followersBiography: Fran Lewis
Born in the South Bronx, I grew up with people from many ethnic backgrounds. I learned to play and work with children in my school that came from other countries and different places.
I was always over weight as a child and got picked on a lot by the other children in my class and even my teachers. I found it hard to do many of the sporting activities that my sister and cousins could do. I learned at an early age that kids can be mean and I promised myself that I would never retaliate or do mean things to other kids in return.
When I decided to write my short stories I realized that I had a lot to say about my youth and in both of my books I tell about a ten year old girl named Bertha who learns to deal with real life issues kids face today at home and in school. I write reviews for other sites and I wrote three children’s books and currently writing one on Alzheimer’s Disease.
As an educator I the New York City Public Schools for over 36 years, I realized just how unique and precious our children are. I was the reading and writing staff developer in my school and the dean. I loved the children and had the respect of my fellow teachers and parents.
Teaching children to read was really very rewarding and introducing them to writing and creating their own stories was exciting for the students. I am a member of WhosWho of America’s Executives and Professionals as well as a member of WhosWho of America’s Teachers. I am the author of three children’s books and my fourth entitled Memories Are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey: Ruth’s Story will be out next month. I am currently writing my fourth Bertha Book and a second on cognitive ways to keep your brain alert. The tentative title is Sharp as a Tack or Scrambled Eggs: Which Describes Your Brain. This book will deal with how we should help those who are seniors keep their minds and bodies active as well as ways to help delay dementia and Alzheimer’s.
I review books for Manic Readers, I justfinished.com and BookPleasures.com. I review books for authors upon request and would love to get paid for doing my reviews. There are publicists that send me books to review and that get paid for my reviews. I wrote five books that are self-published and I am going to complete one book children’s book and one based on a true story.
I host two radio shows on Red River Radio. The first is a book discussion where I interview or ask authors questions about their writing and books along with a book club panel to ask additional questions. I am going to host a show for children’s and Ya authors starting in August. I have been interviewed many times. I will be interviewed on D’s Roundtable on August 19th at and page Page Readers on Sept. 27th at three. My book discussion show is the third Wed. of every month at one eastern and my children’s author’s show will be four times a year. I am also going to interview Dr. Kenneth Weene on Sept. 21st at four. I had to reschedule the interview due to personal reasons. We will discuss the inside scoop about insane asylums and his career working in one plus his book Memoirs from an Asylum.
I hope this gives you a picture of what I do. Fran
I am a reading and writing staff developer and I worked with children with reading and writing disabilities.
https://profiles.google.com/gabina49
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 12, 2011
Because We Care – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds
‘As the primary and only caregiver for my mom who has Alzheimer’s I have had to develop different ways to keep myself active and my mind stimulated. All too often as a caregiver you become so immersed in taking care of the needs of the person who is ill that we forget about our own. When you make the decision to care for a family member at home you are really taking on a challenge of herculean proportion. Every day is different and every challenge unique and must be handled differently but with kindness and care. When a person has Alzheimer’s the hardest thing to deal with is their changing and erratic behaviors. They can be calm one minute and out of control or violent the next. These behaviors tend to put a lot of stress and strain on the caregiver.’
Through her trial and error learning Author Fran Lewis discovered some of the most basic yet important things that the caregiver will be confronted with when caring, not only for those with Alzheimer’s but other diseases and incapacitating illnesses. Through her book Because We Care she brings to light the warning signs of Alzheimer’s as well as the importance of discussing your fears with the patient’s doctor. She explains why it’s so important to follow a routine with the patient to keep some of their confusion down. This includes things as simple as when to go to the bathroom, when to eat and even bed time. She stresses the importance of security with Alzheimer’s patients. They do have a tendency to wander off so items such as ID bracelets or necklaces are exceptionally important as well as keeping a current picture handy in case the police are brought in to help with the find.
Lewis discusses the choices you might face as to keeping the patient at their own home, having round the clock nurses, moving them into your own home or placing them in a facility. She brings to light the pros and cons, not just for the patient but also for the caregiver. How to find a suitable facility and even what questions to ask of not only a facility but of nurses for in-home-care. And truly just as important, how to spot patient abuse and what to do if you suspect or know this is happening to your loved one.
Lewis also speaks, through first hand knowledge, about Traumatic Brain Injuries, which caused the death of her sister. And I must mention too that the proceeds for this book go to Montefiore Hospital to the fund they set up in memory of Fran Lewis' mom and sister.
But one thing Lewis puts heavy stress on is the importance of the caregiver’s own health and well being. She impresses the fact that the caregiver’s whole normal way of life will change when taking over their patient. The stress that goes along with being a caregiver is so much more than you can ever imagine. And to help with this stress, Lewis offers suggestions throughout the book that will help when dealing with this phase of the care.
I’ve only had short bouts with being a caregiver and never for an Alzheimer’s patient. My Dad and I were both blessed with his being alert until the last couple days of his life. But I still know the stress that just watching him deteriorate in a short 5 month period put on me. I can’t imagine watching someone with Alzheimer’s change into a person who I no longer know nor knows me. For any of you out there that are going through this situation, I suggest you read this book. I really feel it just might help. For those of you who aren’t currently acting as a caregiver, this is still a book I recommend you read. You never know when you too might have to make the choices and deal with the stress that Lewis and people like her have dealt with and are still dealing with.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
‘As the primary and only caregiver for my mom who has Alzheimer’s I have had to develop different ways to keep myself active and my mind stimulated. All too often as a caregiver you become so immersed in taking care of the needs of the person who is ill that we forget about our own. When you make the decision to care for a family member at home you are really taking on a challenge of herculean proportion. Every day is different and every challenge unique and must be handled differently but with kindness and care. When a person has Alzheimer’s the hardest thing to deal with is their changing and erratic behaviors. They can be calm one minute and out of control or violent the next. These behaviors tend to put a lot of stress and strain on the caregiver.’
Through her trial and error learning Author Fran Lewis discovered some of the most basic yet important things that the caregiver will be confronted with when caring, not only for those with Alzheimer’s but other diseases and incapacitating illnesses. Through her book Because We Care she brings to light the warning signs of Alzheimer’s as well as the importance of discussing your fears with the patient’s doctor. She explains why it’s so important to follow a routine with the patient to keep some of their confusion down. This includes things as simple as when to go to the bathroom, when to eat and even bed time. She stresses the importance of security with Alzheimer’s patients. They do have a tendency to wander off so items such as ID bracelets or necklaces are exceptionally important as well as keeping a current picture handy in case the police are brought in to help with the find.
Lewis discusses the choices you might face as to keeping the patient at their own home, having round the clock nurses, moving them into your own home or placing them in a facility. She brings to light the pros and cons, not just for the patient but also for the caregiver. How to find a suitable facility and even what questions to ask of not only a facility but of nurses for in-home-care. And truly just as important, how to spot patient abuse and what to do if you suspect or know this is happening to your loved one.
Lewis also speaks, through first hand knowledge, about Traumatic Brain Injuries, which caused the death of her sister. And I must mention too that the proceeds for this book go to Montefiore Hospital to the fund they set up in memory of Fran Lewis' mom and sister.
But one thing Lewis puts heavy stress on is the importance of the caregiver’s own health and well being. She impresses the fact that the caregiver’s whole normal way of life will change when taking over their patient. The stress that goes along with being a caregiver is so much more than you can ever imagine. And to help with this stress, Lewis offers suggestions throughout the book that will help when dealing with this phase of the care.
I’ve only had short bouts with being a caregiver and never for an Alzheimer’s patient. My Dad and I were both blessed with his being alert until the last couple days of his life. But I still know the stress that just watching him deteriorate in a short 5 month period put on me. I can’t imagine watching someone with Alzheimer’s change into a person who I no longer know nor knows me. For any of you out there that are going through this situation, I suggest you read this book. I really feel it just might help. For those of you who aren’t currently acting as a caregiver, this is still a book I recommend you read. You never know when you too might have to make the choices and deal with the stress that Lewis and people like her have dealt with and are still dealing with.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
August 14, 2012
A short brochure dedicated to the team researching Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia at Montefiore, Fran Lewis’s Because we Care gives tips for caring for the sick and caring for carers too. Built on the author’s own experience caring for her mother and searching for resources to help, the book is filled with helpful lists answering simple questions in a quick inviting manner. I particularly enjoyed the practical suggestions in lists such as Kindness Tips for Volunteers—gentle reminders to smile, say good morning, make sure the patient eats and never treat the patient as a child. 10 signs of Alzheimers helps clarify the difference between Alzheimer’s and the normal forgetfulness of aging. And Final Care explains how the disease progresses with time. A second section discusses related issues with traumatic brain injury and a final series of short essays adds true stories to the mix. A brief helpful book for anyone facing these issues, this brochure shows you are not alone and gives you the feel of having someone to talk to.
Disclosure: I won a free copy of this book from the author.
October 30, 2013
"Because We Care" by Fran Lewis is a marvellous book and guide for carers and those who want to be.
It is mostly focused on people dealing with patients and sufferers from Alzheimers Dementia but much of the warm and heart felt advice is useful for others, too.
The author writes about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis and how to proceed from here on from a personal perspective. Much research has gone into her pointers and data, reference sources and advice. Her own mother was nursed at home but Lewis has also seen other cases and describes the entire range of possibilities with expertise.
This book has reached my hands just weeks after I visited my aunt abroad who suffers from the later stages of Alzheimers. I was pleased to see that some of the author's main points were being taken care of in my aunt's case but not everyone is so lucky.
The book also features a section on brain injuries and a few guest articles by people with similar experiences with Alzheimers.
This is a very useful guide of hands on advice, reference tools and common observational sense, but it is also encouragement for the carers. They need to be appreciated and cared for as well.
A very important work.
It is mostly focused on people dealing with patients and sufferers from Alzheimers Dementia but much of the warm and heart felt advice is useful for others, too.
The author writes about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis and how to proceed from here on from a personal perspective. Much research has gone into her pointers and data, reference sources and advice. Her own mother was nursed at home but Lewis has also seen other cases and describes the entire range of possibilities with expertise.
This book has reached my hands just weeks after I visited my aunt abroad who suffers from the later stages of Alzheimers. I was pleased to see that some of the author's main points were being taken care of in my aunt's case but not everyone is so lucky.
The book also features a section on brain injuries and a few guest articles by people with similar experiences with Alzheimers.
This is a very useful guide of hands on advice, reference tools and common observational sense, but it is also encouragement for the carers. They need to be appreciated and cared for as well.
A very important work.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews