Saying goodbye to the living. How families live with dementia

by Inga Tönnies

Bonn, 2007
ISBN 978-3-86739-007-1
240 Seiten
14,90 € / 0,0 sFr

Subject:

Experiences of families with members who are afflicted with Alzheimer’s

Target audience:

Relatives of people afflicted with Alzheimer’s as well as care workers for the elderly.

Content:

While searching for literature that would help her cope with the mental strain of having a mother with Alzheimer’s, the author, Inga Tönnies, found out that the books available on the subject of dementia concentrated solely on the affected person. But no one seemed to be interested in the state of mind and worries of the families affected.
Therefore she conducted interviews with family members of dementia sufferers and asked them about their experiences: People who cared for their mothers, fathers or partners around the clock and also those who only visited the sufferers at home or in an elderly home, described what was required from them because of the many changes the illness made to the sufferers.
A very moving book that helps family members cope with their feelings of sadness, helplessness, shame, hurt and even anger.

Review:

Dr. Ursula von der Leyen (German Federal Minister for Family Affairs):
"Your book is very worthwhile: The connection between the personal experiences and the descriptive narrative makes the book very readable and often poignant. I would like to thank you for your dedication and also wish you further success in the future."

Author:

Inga Tönnies, graduate social scientist and psychologist. She has been attending to her dementia-suffering mother for several years.

Original title:

"Abschied zu Lebzeiten. Wie Angehörige mit Demenzkranken leben"

BALANCE buch + medien verlag, Bonn, ISBN 978-3-86739-007-1, 240 Pages, €14.90
First published in 2007.

For further information, please contact: Ms Kerstin Zander.