When J.P. Ripples mother began forgetting things, she assured her son nothing was wrong. Memory loss was normal for people her age, she told him.But there was nothing normal about finding her walking to a neighbors yard in below-freezing temperatures. He wasnt surprised when she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. What did surprise him, however, was how often caregivers asked him for proof of guardianship. They even challenged him when he tried to do what was best for his mother. In this memoir, he explores: Alzheimers first four stages and how to cope with their symptoms; day-to-day problems associated with early-stage Alzheimers; and meddling by caregivers who are ill informed. Ripple ultimately had to file almost sixty complaints against ambulance drivers, emergency room doctors, emergency medical technicians, neighbors, social workers, abuse advocates, and others who seemed to be doing their best to make bad decisions on behalf of his mother. If you have a loved one with Alzheimers or if you provide care to someone with the disease, youll want to read the cautionary tale of Strangers Doing Alzheimers.
