Happy New Year

Here it is: the end of 2009.  And what a year it has been for many of you.  I know that for me, the publication of my book, Connecting the Dots: Breakthroughs in Communication as Alzheimer's Advances, signifies my own personal breakthrough in realizing a dream.  But writing the book itself doesn't do the trick unless you, the relatives, friends and caregivers of those with advancing Alzheimers, start to use the tools I discovered to connect with your loved ones and re-establish communication.  True, it may be very different from the way you communicated before this disease, but that feeling of sharing the moment with that person is wonderful.  So, in this New Year, resolve to give both you and your loved one the gift of understanding and kindness.

Alzheimer's and Christmas

Christmas can be sad and joyous at the same time.  It may be hard to focus on the postitive when you feel exhausted. Whether your loved one is at home or in an outside residence, include him in the Christmas celebration.  The sparkling lights on the tree, the aroma of dinner, and the singing of Christmas carols may spark your loved one and his memory.  He might just join in. Even if he doesn't, he'll sense that this day is special. Make the connection and cherish the outcome.  A Merry Christmas to all.

Care for the Caregiver

Too many caregivers are unable to attend support group meetings, placing their needs at the end of the list. Yet, people who attend these groups report less overall stress and fewer stress-related disorders when compared to those who never attend. So, gather up your courage, contact the Alzheimer's Association on line and find out where the nearest caregivers support group meets. Make it a priority: you count.

On the Move

I have an exciting winter planned. My book, Connecting the Dots: Breakthroughs in Communication as Alzheimer's Advances, will be in bookstores on December 2nd. After that, it's go, go, go - and I couldn't be more excited.

You can say "hello" to me on Friday, December 4th from 9 to 3pm at the annual "Seniors on the Move Conference" sponsored by Jackie Speier. It's at 255 South Airport Blvd in South San Francisco.

On Saturday January 9th, 2010 I'm at Kepler's Book Store in Menlo Park. I'll be there from 2:00 until the last book is signed. Hope to see you.

I'll be delivering my talk Boost Your Brain at Sunnyvale's Belmont Village on Tuesday, January 12th at 6:00pm.

After that I'm taking to high seas with Carnival Cruise Line in Florida, where I'll be promoting the book, giving talks and hosting discussions.

I have exciting presentations coming up in the New Year at the beautiful new Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto This is in affiliation with the Stanford Health Library - I'll be sure to give you all the details after the holidays.

Connecting the Dots

I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Connecting the Dots: Breakthroughs in Communication as Alzheimer's Advances, has been released by New Harbinger Publications and will be in bookstores on December 2nd.

If you have a loved one in the middle or late stages of Alzheimer's disease, you know how frustrating it can be to communicate. But it's not impossible to maintain a real relationship with your friend or family member, even as his or her Alzheimer's advances.

In more than sixteen years of work with Alzheimer's patients and their families, I have learned how to 'connect the dots' of scattered information offered by people with Alzheimer's so that loved ones can understand the depth of feeling still present in them. Connecting the Dots reveals practical techniques for decoding your loved one's comments (or language) to improve communication. With this book as your guide, you can better navigate your relationship with your loved one and keep a meaningful connection.

Karen Salzer, Ph.D., was kind enough to offer her thoughts:

We all know the difficult decisions and anguish that we go through as loved ones of people with Alzheimer's. Judith London has distilled her years of experience and organized the information in a way that is easy to understand, constructive, and even positive. My mother has been very slowly losing her senses, and through London, I have come to understand that much of my mother's communication difficulties are not only due to her poor memory, but also to her need to receive reassurance that her concerns have been addressed. On Thanksgiving, I instructed my children no to slough off of my mother's concerns, but rather to engage her in a conversation about them, answering her questions lovingly and patiently. What a difference this made in enabling my mother to let go of her worries. I highly recommend this guidebook to anyone facing the travails of Alzheimer's. London's guide will be a priceless fit to yourself and you deserve to have it.