the book
now available to order.
How does a polar bear pooping on a rug turn into a lesson on Alzheimer’s behaviors of paranoia and hallucinations? Or a pregnant aunt turn into a lesson about long-term care decisions?
about the book
The innocent dialogue and anecdotes the author has recorded for years between her and her grandchildren serve as introductions---and lessons learned-- to managing the daily responsibilities in Alzheimer’s care. These poignant stories and insightful perspectives from the author serve as a fresh approach in understanding the disease. Thought-provoking, humorous, and endearing, the content in the chapters will have you experiencing the journey of Alzheimer’s disease in a most light-hearted and non-threatening way, so much so that you will hardly realize how much knowledge and skills you are acquiring along the way. From understanding the components of the disease to discovering various ways to communicate to coping with difficult behavioral expressions; from weaving through all the emotions experienced by the caregiver to understanding person-centered care, to the importance of social engagement, and much, much more, this book is a vital and very handy resource for all those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
about the author
Dana Olivia Dunn Territo calls herself “an old soul” as she has always shared a passion and love for the older generation, particularly those affected with Alzheimer’s disease. For over 30 years she has worked and advocated for this population. She was on the committee that started the first Alzheimer’s Walk Fundraiser in Baton Rouge and the original Activity Director in the first Alzheimer’s secured unit in a nursing home in the city. She later served as an advisor to build Louisiana’s first Alzheimer’s Social Model Day Respite Center, a center of which she subsequently worked as director and one that was later nationally recognized. She has served on local, state and national organizations promoting quality care for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and her programs and training curricula she developed for Alzheimer’s have helped caregivers and healthcare professionals alike to meander the arduous journey of the disease. Since 2013, Dana has voluntarily written a weekly Alzheimer’s Question and Answer column in The Advocate, a Baton Rouge-based newspaper with a circulation of over 98,000. Dana, a native Texan, lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her husband, David and near their two sons and daughters-in-law, David (DJ) and Ashley, and Hunter and Ashley, as well as their four grandchildren, Collin, Brynn, Ellis, and Evelyn.
Today’s Caregiver Magazine Caregiver Friendly® Awards, established by the first national magazine for all family and professional caregivers and caregiver.com, are designed to celebrate products, services, books, and media created with the needs of caregivers in mind.
2023 Readers’ Favorite Five Stars
Alzheimer’s disease affects tens of millions of people all around the world and more than six million individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease is incurable, and those affected are often misunderstood and neglected. But there is a way to comprehend them better, and children can become our guides along the way. In What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease, Dana Olivia Dunn Territo draws parallels between the development of a child and the course of the disease, which resembles its stages in reverse. Dana shares lovely and humorous stories about her grandchildren and their perceptions of complex situations and the world around them. By perceiving children's behavior, we can improve communication with people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and let them be involved in our lives on a deeper level. This is a meaningful read for caregivers, those whose loved ones are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and readers of non-fiction health books who want to learn more about it.
What My Grandchildren Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease is an eye-opening book. Dana Olivia Dunn Territo offers a complete guide to Alzheimer’s disease and tells us what we can do to improve the quality of life for those affected. With great love, Dana reveals that these people are not a burden. The author encourages us to be more compassionate toward them and acknowledge their needs for socialization and deeper connections with their caregivers and loved ones. I like Dana's expressive and often humorous writing style and the amusing stories about her grandchildren opening every chapter. The author rightly points out that modern society does not appreciate the elderly. Misunderstanding leads to a fear of aging. Dana inspires us to pay more attention to our grandparents and other older people in our lives, for they have their unique stories to tell and their profound experiences to share with the younger generation. This compassion will allow us to be kinder to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and to see human beings behind it. This book gives us many points to ponder, no matter whether we are caregivers or not.
the
Memory Whisperer
podcast
Launching on Nov. 9th, 2023
Dana is also the woman behind The Memory Whisperer, a podcast focused on thoughtful conversations about Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.