Alzheimer’s! What is that? That was the question I asked myself when I started my caregiver’s journey. My mother was a very healthy woman; no other illnesses. I could not believe or understand how my mother contracted such a disease like this. Laughing to Keep From Crying, This Alzheimer’s Thing is No Joke delves into what my family, my mother and I went through as we struggled with how to care for my mother who had Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s became my enemy and my roller coaster ride was about to begin. I witnessed the deterioration of my mother’s laughter, love and ultimately her life. I experienced the sadness of the new reality that my mother was not the woman I knew while growing up into adulthood. I had to come to the realization that the angst, physical and emotional setbacks I endured while taking care of her was unavoidable. I learned to muster up enough strength to support my mother not only physically and emotionally but also while trying to maintain my own family and my sanity. Laughter in the midst of the tears became a must through my journey.

As a caregiver, one has to learn to cope with a number of emotional cycles. Although the book is about dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s, it offers lessons that I learned as well as some guidelines to help caregiver’s maneuver through this journey.

Do you know any caregivers? Someone who is taking care of someone who has dementia or Alzheimer’s? Do you know what dementia or Alzheimer’s is and the effects it has on a loved one and the family? Alzheimer’s is one of the most feared diseases around and it has no respect of person. So many families are clueless about Alzheimer’s and struggle with how to handle the ups and downs of their loved ones behavior. Don’t be clueless.