Nine Ways to Crazy

Deborah J. Taranto thought when her mother joined her in New York, she'd finally be able to help her maintain her health. What she hadn't considered was how she'd maintain her own health: Her mother's deteriorating mind and constant demands made it almost impossible to get anything done. In this memoir, which includes numerous journal entries, she relives the guilt of struggling to take care of an elderly parent with Alzheimer's who managed to raise a house full of children without complaints. From the classic behavior symptoms of dementia to her mother's hilarious outbursts, she faces her mother's mortality-as well as her own-head on, weaving symptoms into vignettes that highlight everyday challenges. Her account reveals the daily struggle of what it's like to care for a loved one with Alzheimer's and how the experience can affect family members long after a loved one has died. If you're a caregiver or family member struggling to help someone navigate their final years with dignity, you'll be inspired by the humorous and poignant tales in Nine Ways to Crazy.