Review of
Instaread Summary of The 36-Hour Day A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have
Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementias and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace and
Peter V. Rabins
Five out of five stars
In this case,
the contradictory statement in the title is apt, for it is true that caring for
an elderly person with mental deficiencies and living your own life is far more
than a full-time (day) job. It starts with their physical deficiencies, so the
environment must be altered to reflect that. Many times their physical problems
prevent them from going places and yet they cannot be left alone. Routine tasks
such as getting groceries becomes a three-person task.
Then there is the
act of coping with the mental problems that can lead to difficult and even
obnoxious behavior. The patient has suffered from brain damage and so is not
completely responsible for what they say and do. Finally, there is the “me”
time, where the caregiver needs to be able to take some time away from the
burdens of care and read a book or engage in other relaxing behaviors.
This summary
demonstrates that these issues are captured in the book being described. It is
portrayed as a self-help book and in that area, it is clear that the book is
different from nearly all self-help books. In a world where the books have a
limited effective time window of value, this one is growing in value over time,
due to the increase in the number of people with mental deficiencies.
If you have
helped deal with an elderly person (as I have) with a failing mind, this
summary will bring back memories. If you are currently dealing with such a
person, it will give you strength. There is no doubt that the book being
described will do more of both things.
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