I am always looking for books to read about this terrible disease and here I thought I would mention some titles that do not get much mention on other sites and a few of them are from the spiritual angle.
Unfortunetly, I have not found many from the Jewish angle but it couldn't be much different from Christianity as I have not seen anything in these books that any rabbis would object to their congregants reading.The obvious exception to this point is the theology behind Christianity is something that Jews do not believe, but the ideas of caring for parents or elderly loved ones or the sick elderly in our community etc are common to Christianity, Judaism and prabably other monotheistic faiths.
My Journey Into Alzheimer's Disease by Robert Davis (c)1989
ISBN 0-8423-4645-7
Published by Tyndale House.
This autobiography was written by a minister after he was diagnosed at about age 59.
God Never Forgets, edited by Donald K. Mckim. (c)1997
ISBN 0-664-25704-6
Published by Westminster John Knox Press.
This is an easy to understand short book about caring for Alzheimer victims and their families/caregivers. It is theologically based, but it is not difficult for non Christians or non theologically based reader.
Alzheimer's : A Love Story by Ann Davidson (c)1997
ISBN 1-55972-418-8
Published by Birch Lane press.
This is the story of one year in the life of a married couple and the husband was diagnosed at age 59 with AD. He was a scientist and university professor. Another example of how this is an equal opportunity destructive disease.
I also want to recommend a website for caregivers named Caregiving, and it offers a free monthly newsletter, pages to express feelings about the disease, some links to other sites related to caregiving and of course a plug to subscribe to the magazine that you have to pay for to get. It is worth it by the way. It isn't strictly for AD caregivers, but it has enough helpful advice, etc and a column on dementia that it is useful to us.
A Heart of Wisdom: Making the Jewish Journey From Midlife through the Elder Years. (c) 1997 Edited by Susan Berrin, with a Foreward by Rabbi Harold Kushner
Published by Jewish Lights
ISBN: 1-879045-73-7(hard cover).
I have come to more fully appreciate this book. It is about Aging in Judaism which is relevant whether or not your loved one has AD or not. It seems very comprehensive describing the scriptural and rabbinical views. It also has new rituals for life cycle events such as menopause or entering a nursing home. There is plenty there for a caregiver to be comforted about caregiving or just comforting to know that even as we age, the community is still there for us.
When Bad Things Happen To Good People (c)1981,1989 by Rabbi Harold Kushner.
Published by Avon Books
ISBN: 0-380-67033-X
I find comfort from all of Rabbi Kushner's books, and this is one of my favorites. This was his first title and written from the personal experience of watching one of his children die of a rare disease before the age of ten. His faith is sincere and I think this book is relevant for caregivers as we watch the changes in our loved ones.
Healing of Body, Healing of Soul: Spiritual Leaders Unfold The Strength and Solace In Psalms.
Edited by Rabbi Simcha Weintraub, CSW
(c)1994
Published by Jewish Lights
ISBN:1-879045-31-1
In the 19th century, Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, (a Hasidic master and descendent of the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement in Judaism) identified ten of the psalms that he felt most related to health and healing. In this book, ten rabbis representing the different movements of Judaism(Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, Orthodox)comment on these psalms.
The Resourceful Caregiver: Helping Family Caregivers Help Themselves
ISBN: 0-8151-5556-5
Call National Family Caregivers Ass'n for details. 1-800-896-3650
It is actually a directory of services. It lists caregiver organizations, respite services, telephone hotlines, etc. I think it is an excellant resource, but It would have been even better had it been also indexed by disease instead of type of service. It includes websites where available.
Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal
ISBN:0471-25408-8
Written by Beth Witrogen Mcleod
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Professional Trade Division
605 Third Ave., NY 10158-0012
A very thorough book, all aspects of the caregiving experience is discussed intersperced with quotes from interviews she made during her research. She also talks about her experience as she took care of both her parents. While the emphasis of the book is on the grieving process, I found it helpful in seeing so many similarities with other caregivers(cgs).
Includes index,well referenced bibliography for each chapter, suggestions for further reading and lists of resources with web addresses where available.
Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times
Rabbi David Wolpe,(c)1999
Published by Riverhead books
ISBN:157322-8206
As the title suggests, it is about doing something to find or have some meaning in the loss of someone precious.
Decoding Darkness The Search for the Genetic Causes of Alzheimer's Disease
Rudolph E. Tanzi and Ann B. Parson
(c)2000 by the authors
Perseus Publishers
ISBN:0-7382-0195-2
Medical Mystery, History and soap opera of conflicting theories among the scientists on the origin and develpment of Alzheimer's Disease. It convinced me we have far to go to rid ourselves of this devastating disease. The authors do not bog down the reader with difficult technological jargon, instead the technology and workings of genetics and neurology are explained without patronization all the way through it. I highly recommend this book.
The Lord is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty Third Psalm by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner (c)2003
ISBN:1-4000-4056-6 Alfred A. Knopf Publisher
Written by the author of When Bad Things Happen to Bad People. This is his commentary on one of if not the most popular of the psalms. He goes through it verse by verse to the conclusion that we are not alone that God is with us when bad things happen.
Embracing Life & Facing Death by Rabbis Daniel S. Brenner, Tsvi Blanchard, Bradley Hirschfield and Dr Joseph J. Fins M.D. F.A.C.P.(also a Medical Ethicist)
ISBN 0-9633329-0-2 (c)2002
Published by the National Jewish Center for Learning, CLALClicque on their store site. It will give you ordering information for online or phone or fax.
This book brings the wisdom of the Jewish tradition into a dialogue with the contemporary ethical and spirtual concerns facing today's families. Covering issues such as pain management, advance care planning and end of life ethics, the guide is an essential companion for those facing life threatening illness as well as those of us caring for our AD Loved ones who will face certain ethical challenges. The rabbi authors represent the wide spectrum of Jewish belief.
The Fourth Commandment: Remember The Sabbath Day by Francine Klagsbrun
ISBN 0-609-60745-6 (c)2002 Published by Harmony Books
A contemporary look at al cornerstone of Jewish Life explores the Sabbath's origins and purpose, its basis in Jewish texts and traditions.
My mother's decline and yet continuing love of Judaism inspired me to look at more Jewish books about these simple but meaningful traditions such as the candle lighting marking the separation of the work week from the holiday or holy day of the Sabbath. The prayers for the Sabbath are in back of the book in Hebrew, English and transliteration.
Helping Yourself Help Others, A Book for Caregivers by Rosalyn Carter with Susan K. Golant.
ISBN 0 8129 2591 2
Random House Imprint Times Books (c)1994
The best quote in the book is that
there are only four people in this world
Those who have been caregivers
Those who currently are caregivers
Those will be caregivers
and those who will need caregivers.
Even though it is not meant for a specific disease or type of caregiver, her advice is welcome and practical. She even suggests finding solace in religious insititutions to help alleviate some caregiver isolation.
Besides the usual bibliography and index she has a list of organizational resources. Because the book was written at the dawn of the Internet, there were no websites listed.
However you might be interested to know that she started her own organization in rural Georgia as part of one of the Universities in that state. You can reach her site by typing here for more information
That You May Live: Caring for Our Aging Parents, Caring for Ourselves. Jewish Perspectives on Caregiving.
Edited by Richard F. Address and Hara E. Person
ISBN 0-8074-0792-5
UAHC Press.
Links to other sites on the Web
Jewish Lights Publishing
Borders Bookstore
UAHC Press
Amazon
Ass'n of Jewish Book Publishers
HastingsCtr Bioethics Research
(c)1998 by Penny Klein
Go to index page of this site.
