Official Review: The Dementia Dance by Rosemary Barkes

[Cecilia_L]

Caring for a family member with dementia can be so challenging and painful. I was relieved that you mentioned the story isn't depressing and touched by the example of the style show. It sounds like the author offers needed practical advice. Thanks for the great review!

[shaz1994]

This is a good book especially when having aging people around, I am compelled to learn more about how to deal with dementia as this could happen to anyone

[Alice Heritage]

Caring for a family member with dementia can be so challenging and painful. I was relieved that you mentioned the story isn't depressing and touched by the example of the style show. It sounds like the author offers needed practical advice. Thanks for the great review!

Yes, there was a lot about acceptance and positives. Thanks for your response!

[Alice Heritage]

This is a good book especially when having aging people around, I am compelled to learn more about how to deal with dementia as this could happen to anyone

Hello and welcome to the site. Yes, this is very common and could affect many people at some stage, so it's a useful book. Thanks for your response!

[gen_g]

Not only does it seem like an interesting and inspiring read, it also seems like a great resource for those who are caretakers of people with dementia. It is definitely not easy taking care of them, and I am glad that this book is out there! Thanks for the amazing review.

[Manang Muyang]

My mother suffered stroke-induced dementia (and proceeded to acquire a host of other ailments) until she passed on in October of 2016. I would be happy to read this book (though it will undoubtedly make me weepy); my dad is also now exhibiting senile behavior at 90.

Caring for enfeebled loved ones is indeed challenging and often frustrating. Prayer is a constant refuge.

P.S. I became mother to my mom in the eight years that she reverted to childhood. Those were the most difficult years of my life, but also the most fulfilling. I am single and childless; that was my chance to become a mother: tough job.

[Alice Heritage]

Not only does it seem like an interesting and inspiring read, it also seems like a great resource for those who are caretakers of people with dementia. It is definitely not easy taking care of them, and I am glad that this book is out there! Thanks for the amazing review.

Thanks - it was reassuring somehow, even though the author didn't leave out the unpleasant stuff. She did note that they were quite lucky with her mother, though.

[Alice Heritage]

My mother suffered stroke-induced dementia (and proceeded to acquire a host of other ailments) until she passed on in October of 2016. I would be happy to read this book (though it will undoubtedly make me weepy); my dad is also now exhibiting senile behavior at 90.

Caring for enfeebled loved ones is indeed challenging and often frustrating. Prayer is a constant refuge.

P.S. I became mother to my mom in the eight years that she reverted to childhood. Those were the most difficult years of my life, but also the most fulfilling. I am single and childless; that was my chance to become a mother: tough job.

Whoa, very tough job. I admire you for walking through it.

[Helen_Combe]

Great review. Alzheimers and dementia are to me more frightening than cancer. This book sounds like an ideal guide to help people cope. I’m sure most people just put their head in the sand and hope it won’t hit them and theirs.

[Alice Heritage]

Great review. Alzheimers and dementia are to me more frightening than cancer. This book sounds like an ideal guide to help people cope. I’m sure most people just put their head in the sand and hope it won’t hit them and theirs.

I can relate to that. I think it's because you lose the person you know but they're still alive. The author gives some statistics at the beginning of the book - percentages of people with dementia at what ages. Actually, those were better than I had thought, but the numbers are still high enough that just hoping it will not affect any family member is probably not going to suffice. I found the book reassuring because most of the experiences with staff at the facilities etc. were positive - though the author does mention some exceptions. The reality is that part of adulting is to make sure funds are in place for this eventuality, ugh. The prospect of becoming dependent is really scary, though.

Anyway, thanks for reading and responding!

[julessawyer]

The author did a great job if it is a supposed to be a sad story but was told in not depressing manner. I like to read this one and see for myself how she did it. Thanks for your review. Your review can convince others to read a book like this.

Thanks for your response! It's all in the dance analogy really - you can't control the person or their illness but you can meet them where they are and get into harmony with them as they lead.

That is a great analogy. It is like a meet me half way kind of thinking. this kind of thinking requires patience, understanding and love of course.

[Alice Heritage]

Thanks for your response! It's all in the dance analogy really - you can't control the person or their illness but you can meet them where they are and get into harmony with them as they lead.
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That is a great analogy. It is like a meet me half way kind of thinking. this kind of thinking requires patience, understanding and love of course.
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Yes, lots. Thanks for your response.

[Faithmwangi]

This book could definitely come in handy. Ageing is part of life and impossible to avoid. Advice on how to handle that should be welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for the review.

[EvaDar]

I really enjoyed reading your review. I have read a couple of reviews on this book and I am sold. It sounds like a really honest, well-written book about a really difficult set of circumstances. We lost my mother-in-law to Alzheimer's. It is a long, challenge path. Thanks for the beautiful review.

[Espie]

I could just imagine the dilemma of those whose loved one is affected by this malady. For instance, deciding whether to do what's good versus what our loved one wants could really be disconcerting. This book seems relevant and helpful, indeed. Thank you for your equally-insightful review.