In the fall of 2015, Barbara Ella Milton, Sr. called her only child to ask for her help. That call would change both of their lives dramatically. Barbara Sr. had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, and she needed the help of her daughter to navigate this new and challenging phase of her life.
Written with immense tenderness and vulnerability, Heeding the Caregiver Call: The Story of Barbara Ella Milton, Sr. and Alzheimer's Disease tells the tale of Barbara Jr.'s journey as her mother's caregiver. It shares insights into the physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual impacts of caregiving and provides practical information to others who assume caregiving roles for their loved ones. Imbued with Barbara Jr.'s experiences as a clinical social worker, a woman of color, a cancer patient, and an only child, the book lays bare a scenario that is both nuanced and all too familiar for the thousands of individuals who've faced an Alzheimer's diagnosis within their families.
Traversing resentments and regrets, forgiveness and faith, and laughter and love, Heeding the Caregiver Call provides readers with a real-world glimpse into the joys and challenges of the caregiving relationship. The book is an excellent resource for current and future caregivers, whether within a personal or professional context.