Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver

Letters from Madelyn is based on letters written by Madelyn Kubin, a Kansas farm wife, during the six years she cared for her husband following his  debilitating stroke.  Unflinchingly honest and uproariously funny, Madelyn’s letters prove that having negative feelings doesn’t make you a bad person, and that it is possible to find humor even in life’s most challenging situations.
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Click here to read excerpts

DVD: “And for this I take Vitamins!” An unflinchingly honest and uproariously funny journey through caregiving

Incorporating humor and  real-life stories from her book, Letters from Madelyn, Elaine K. Sanchez helps caregivers understand and cope with the emotional stress of caregiving. (Keynote recorded live at the 2010 Wisconsin State Alzheimer’s Conference.)
Click here to view video excerpts

DVD: Caregiver Survival Training

Compassionate, humorous, and informative, this 45-minute video helps caregivers develop an “Attitude of Creative Indifference” toward anger, guilt, depression and grief. (Workshop recorded live at the 2010 Wisconsin State Alzheimer’s Conference.)

Click here to view video excerpts

Caregiver Survival Training Workbook

This 32 page workbook and journal helps caregivers:

• Identify the source of their own  anger, guilt, depression and grief associated with caregiving
• Develop a process for coping with these difficult emotions
• Create a personalized survival plan

Click here to preview the workbook

Boomer Boot Camp Workbook

This 32 page workbook guides you through the process of gathering and organizing  the absolutely essential information needed to help family elders maintain their dignity and control how their healthcare, finances, and possessions will be managed through the final stages of their lives. READ MORE…

Elaine’s picks for other great books, videos, and resources:

Coping with Caregiving Radio Show: Hosted by Jacqueline Marcell, author of Elder Rage

Each month  Jacqueline Marcell interviews four health professionals during  a one-hour live radio show.  You can listen live, and you can also visit her site to access a wonderful selection of archived interviews and a variety of topics that are all available 24 hours a day.  A great place to visit when you are in need of information or inspiration.  Click here to learn more about the show.  To listen to Jacqueline and Elaine discuss Sex and Dementia click Vacation17 and scroll to segment #3.

Jacqueline’s book, Elder Rage or Take My Father . . . Please! is a personal story and a powerful guide that helps people learn how to survive caring for aging parents. Elder Rage

The 36 Hour Day: By Nancy L. Mace, M.A. and Peter V. Rabins, M.D., M.P.H

Endorsed by the Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders Association of America, this comprehensive guide provides the basic facts about dementia and gives practical how-to advice on dealing with problems associated with caring for a person with who is dealing with Alzheimer’s  or other related memory loss diseases. The 36 Hour Day

What Every Caregiver Needs to Know About Alzheimer’s Disease: By Drs. Gail and Kim Petersen

Excellent 70-minute video produced by Drs. Gail and Kim Petersen provides comprehensive information on the physical impact Alzheimer’s Disease has on the brain.  It helps viewers understand how progressive physical changes impact the behavior of a person with dementia. Click here to order the video:  http://www.dementiaeducation.com/products.php

Doing the Right Thing – Taking Care of Elderly Parents, Even if They Didn’t Take Care of You: By Roberta Satow, Ph.D

This book offers valuable insights into managing the care of aging parents who may have been uncaring, unsupportive, or unavailable at critical times in your life.  It helps you understand the importance of setting limits and not allowing yourself to be controlled by guilt or old patterns of behavior. Click here to order the book: http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/1,,9781101089910,00.html?Doing_the_Right_Thing_Roberta_Satow_Ph.D.

Inside Alzheimer’s – How to Hear and Honor Connections with a Person who has Dementia: By Nancy Pearce

Nancy Pearce helps people learn how to create moments of connection with persons, regardless of how advanced the dementia. This book is a tremendously helpful to individuals who want to learn how to communicate effectively and lovingly with persons with dementia. Click here to order the book:   http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Inside-Alzheimers/Nancy-D-Pearce/e/9780978829902

A Better Way of Dying: How to Make the Best Choices at the End of Life: By Jean Fitzpatrick and Eileen Fitzpatrick

This insightful book offers a simple and effective outline on how to create a Compassion Protocol that guarantees the dignity of a natural death.  It is a must read for anyone who wants to ensure comfort and control at the end of their life.  Click here to order the book: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Better-Way-of-Dying/Jeanne-Fitzpatrick/e/9780143116752

Wonderful Websites

The following websites provide extensive information about specific diseases as well as caregiver support.

Alzheimer’s Association – Find Us Anywhere: Visit Site

Arthritis Foundation | Symptoms Treatments | Prevention Tips: Visit Site

American Cancer Society: Visit Site

American Diabetes Association: Visit Site

American Heart Association: Visit Site

Lupus Foundation of America: Visit Site

National Parkinson Foundation: Visit Site

National Stroke Association: Visit Site

National Family Caregivers Association: Visit Site

Hospice Foundation of America: Visit Site

Disabled American Veterans: Visit Site

Paralyzed Veterans of America: Visit Site