DEMENTIA AND OUR LOVE: Caregiving As Spiritual Practice

Summary

DEMENTIA and OUR LOVE, Caregiving as spiritual practice, is the story of Gary and Heather’s love that sustained them through an unusual and courageous life across continents, including tending Gary and his onset of dementia at 73 years. The story helped them remember their love and use this energy to move through the hard times. “We will always remember us this way,” a song by Lady Gaga, was pivotal in keeping Heather’s focus.

This book also speaks to a vaster love, a way of life, that is available to all of us, caregivers, and family members, during unpredictability and grief. Our lives can be enriched and forever changed by love as it comes through kindness and compassionate awareness.

Heather uses the original love letters and Gary’s poetry (with his permission) to set the scene that became the foundation for strength and resilience, continually starting again with loving presence.

Well-known dementia care educator Teepa Snow says of this book, “This captivating memoir explores the lives of two creative, spiritual, passionate individuals who found their way to one another and walked hand-in-hand through Gary’s dementia. Their energetic connection is so powerful and exceptional that one cannot help but be touched.”