Somebody Stole My Iron, a New Book from Praeclarus Press, Offers Hope for Families Caring for a Loved One With Dementia by Sharing One Family’s Journey
Amarillo, TX (PRWEB) January 30, 2014 -- It is becoming increasingly common to find baby boomers caring for their aging parents in today’s society. Oftentimes families pull together their resources without much planning or notice to ensure their loved ones receive necessary care. When sudden and unexpected situations such as these arise, those who take on the tremendous task of caring for their elderly parents tend to be burdened and struggle to cope for lack of resources and support networks. The emotional, physical and financial demands can leave caregivers feeling overwhelmed with sadness, fear, guilt, frustration and anger. Somebody Stole My Iron, a new book published by Praeclarus Press began as Tapia’s daily journal which she used to process and help her cope, but emerged as a road map for many others who would travel her path.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in 2012, 15.4 million caregivers provided an estimated 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care. Navigating the waters of dementia can be frightening and leave families feeling hopeless. After Vicki Tapia's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, followed closely by her father with Parkinson’s disease-related dementia, Tapia struggled to find practical, helpful information. Somebody Stole My Iron offers a glimpse into her family's life as they rode the waves of dementia, sometimes sailing, other times capsizing. This engaging memoir offers useful information from experts within the field of Alzheimer's research, personal lessons the author learned along the way, and ideas/tips for managing the day-to-day ups and downs of dementia.
It is a story of holding on and ultimately learning to let go, transcending the pain and turmoil to discover love and compassion. Above all, Somebody Stole My Iron chronicles the tenacity of Tapia’s mother as she fought her way through the tangled and bewildering labyrinth. As a generation in transition embarks on the voyage of learning how to parent their own parents affected by dementia, the narrative offers hope to those whose lives have been intimately affected by dementia, letting them know that they are not alone. Continued and comprehensive research into prevention and cures for dementia is imperative as the baby-boomer generation ages. Books that bring this awareness to the forefront are important and essential reading for everyone.
Vicki Tapia, a breastfeeding educator for over 30 years, found her energies redirected towards the other end of life when both her parents were diagnosed with dementia. She recently retired from the pediatric clinic where she has worked since 1989 to focus on writing and other as-yet undiscovered adventures. The mother of three grown children, and four grandchildren, she lives with her husband and Mini-Schnauzer in south central Montana.
Praeclarus Press is a small press specializing in women's health, founded by health psychologist, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D. Praeclarus features books, e-books, webinars, white papers, and art, and publishes work on all aspects of women's health. It is based in Amarillo, Texas.
Scott Sherwood, Praeclarus Press, http://www.PraeclarusPress.com, +1 8063679950, [email protected]
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