My Mother's Voice

Rating:
Summary: My Mother's Voice
Review: August 22, 2000

This book is a necessity for any caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, whether it be professional or family member. The author covers almost everything you would need to know about in coping with this disease.

The American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease writes: "Callahan's chapter on Quality of Life (Chapter 3) includes no-holds-barred sections on dignity, respect, disrespect, manners, comfort, independence versus safety and death, euthanasia and suicide....Chapters are woven with the best new information and theories from the most highly regarded experts in the field."

I would highly recommend this incredibly informative and insightful book as a must have for family caregivers, a teaching aid for professionals, and as a resource for all.

Rating:
Summary: My Mother's Voice
Review: August 22, 2000

This book is a necessity for any caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, whether it be professional or family member. The author covers almost everything you would need to know about in coping with this disease.

The American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease writes: "Callahan's chapter on Quality of Life (Chapter 3) includes no-holds-barred sections on dignity, respect, disrespect, manners, comfort, independence versus safety and death, euthanasia and suicide....Chapters are woven with the best new information and theories from the most highly regarded experts in the field."

I would highly recommend this incredibly informative and insightful book as a must have for family caregivers, a teaching aid for professionals, and as a resource for all.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Guidance, Support and Information!
Review: I am deeply inspired by how Sally Callahan expresses what it's like to help a loved one with Alzheimer's. Reading My Mother's Voice, I learned a tremendous amount about Alzheimer's, and more than that, I learned how something so frightening and often devastating did not ultimately deprive Sally of hope, common sense and love.

Ms. Callahan not only explains a subject with authority but shares her experience with genuine skill and an open heart. Her expertise and vulnerability create a very moving book.

What I particularly admire is how honest she is about her frustrations. Frustrations with the institutional problems and misunderstandings she experienced with regards to her mother's illness and care. However, she does this without making other people wrong, especially health care professionals involved in the care of her mother. Callahan's book blends civility towards others and fierce advocacy for her mother. She shows how the stress of being confronted with Alzheimer's can be honestly expressed even while maintaining a willingness to give the benefit of the doubt to those trying to help. Her stories are examples of conflict resolution from which family members, nurses and physicians can learn. My Mother's Voice doesn't tell me what to do, it shows me. It's not just about coping with Alzheimer's. It's also about the spiritual fabric of family remaining strong under difficult circumstances. The inspiration Sally Callahan communicates in My Mother's Voice is hard won and true. I hope many have a chance to read her book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Guidance, Support and Information!
Review: I am deeply inspired by how Sally Callahan expresses what it's like to help a loved one with Alzheimer's. Reading My Mother's Voice, I learned a tremendous amount about Alzheimer's, and more than that, I learned how something so frightening and often devastating did not ultimately deprive Sally of hope, common sense and love.

Ms. Callahan not only explains a subject with authority but shares her experience with genuine skill and an open heart. Her expertise and vulnerability create a very moving book.

What I particularly admire is how honest she is about her frustrations. Frustrations with the institutional problems and misunderstandings she experienced with regards to her mother's illness and care. However, she does this without making other people wrong, especially health care professionals involved in the care of her mother. Callahan's book blends civility towards others and fierce advocacy for her mother. She shows how the stress of being confronted with Alzheimer's can be honestly expressed even while maintaining a willingness to give the benefit of the doubt to those trying to help. Her stories are examples of conflict resolution from which family members, nurses and physicians can learn. My Mother's Voice doesn't tell me what to do, it shows me. It's not just about coping with Alzheimer's. It's also about the spiritual fabric of family remaining strong under difficult circumstances. The inspiration Sally Callahan communicates in My Mother's Voice is hard won and true. I hope many have a chance to read her book.

Rating:
Summary: An Important Addition To Your Library
Review: My Mother's Voice is written by the daughter of Rita "Puppy" Callahan, a woman who courageously lived and died with Alzheimer's disease. It tells an intensely personal story of a family struggling to do what is right when it seemed that everyone's definition of "right" was different. As her mother's appointed Health Care Proxy, it was Sally Callahan's responsibility to make the difficult life and death decisions and to be her mother's voice when her mother could no longer speak. It's a position that thousand's of people find themselves in daily and it's an awesome responsibility. Callahan was fortunate that her mother had made her wishes known clearly when she was mentally and physically well. It's difficult to speak for someone when such difficult ethical issues have never even been discussed with the patient. Sally knew what her mother wanted, so why was it so difficult to see that her mother's wishes were honored? The question of whether or not to withhold treatment of a terminally ill patient is a moral one and most everyone has strong opinions on the subject, from close and distant family members to the doctors and nurses empowered to carry out those wishes. The potential for resistance is everywhere and Sally had to battle relentlessly for her mother's right to refuse treatment. In reading My Mother's Voice, it's apparent to the reader that having a large family support system can either make the experience of Alzheimer's easier to bear or it can make things far more difficult. Callahan's family almost didn't survive the ordeal intact. Sally Callahan tells her family's story eloquently, taking us on the Alzheimer's journey with her right from page one. We feel the intenseness of her love and respect for her mother and the grief she feels building every step of the way. By the time we read of Puppy Callahan's death, we feel a combination of grief and relief ourselves. Callahan's book is not only a personal journal, however. It's full of useful information about Alzheimer's disease and what a family needs to know in order to survive the experience. Though she has a strong focus on quality of life issues and the ethical side of caregiving, Callahan includes important information about legal and financial matters, community support services and alternative living arrangements. She includes a wealth of information on how to choose a nursing home that will provide not just housing and medical treatment, but socialization and loving care. Chapter eight offers advice on how to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the caregiver, something Callahan admits she neglected in herself. My Mother's Voice is an important addition to the library of anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer's disease. It will not only touch your heart, you'll keep going back to it as a valuable reference at different stages of the disease. If you are a primary caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, give yourself a gift. Buy My Mother's Voice.

Rating:
Summary: An Important Addition To Your Library
Review: My Mother's Voice is written by the daughter of Rita "Puppy" Callahan, a woman who courageously lived and died with Alzheimer's disease. It tells an intensely personal story of a family struggling to do what is right when it seemed that everyone's definition of "right" was different. As her mother's appointed Health Care Proxy, it was Sally Callahan's responsibility to make the difficult life and death decisions and to be her mother's voice when her mother could no longer speak. It's a position that thousand's of people find themselves in daily and it's an awesome responsibility. Callahan was fortunate that her mother had made her wishes known clearly when she was mentally and physically well. It's difficult to speak for someone when such difficult ethical issues have never even been discussed with the patient. Sally knew what her mother wanted, so why was it so difficult to see that her mother's wishes were honored? The question of whether or not to withhold treatment of a terminally ill patient is a moral one and most everyone has strong opinions on the subject, from close and distant family members to the doctors and nurses empowered to carry out those wishes. The potential for resistance is everywhere and Sally had to battle relentlessly for her mother's right to refuse treatment. In reading My Mother's Voice, it's apparent to the reader that having a large family support system can either make the experience of Alzheimer's easier to bear or it can make things far more difficult. Callahan's family almost didn't survive the ordeal intact. Sally Callahan tells her family's story eloquently, taking us on the Alzheimer's journey with her right from page one. We feel the intenseness of her love and respect for her mother and the grief she feels building every step of the way. By the time we read of Puppy Callahan's death, we feel a combination of grief and relief ourselves. Callahan's book is not only a personal journal, however. It's full of useful information about Alzheimer's disease and what a family needs to know in order to survive the experience. Though she has a strong focus on quality of life issues and the ethical side of caregiving, Callahan includes important information about legal and financial matters, community support services and alternative living arrangements. She includes a wealth of information on how to choose a nursing home that will provide not just housing and medical treatment, but socialization and loving care. Chapter eight offers advice on how to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the caregiver, something Callahan admits she neglected in herself. My Mother's Voice is an important addition to the library of anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer's disease. It will not only touch your heart, you'll keep going back to it as a valuable reference at different stages of the disease. If you are a primary caregiver of an Alzheimer's patient, give yourself a gift. Buy My Mother's Voice.

Rating:
Summary: My Mother's Voice
Review: This book is clearly writen and easily understood, providing so much information on the nitty gritty's of caregiving for a person with Alzheimer's Disease. I never tired of reading the book and I'm glad to have this book as a resource.