Dementia: The Journey Ahead: A Practical Guide for In-Home Caregivers

Within a year of my husband receiving his dementia diagnosis, I had a classic case of caregiver burnout. I couldn’t concentrate at work and most of my time was taken up with worrying about my husband’s uncharacteristic and impulsive behavior. I was petrified and intimidated about the future…overwhelmed with basic day-to-day activities. Further, I was apprehensive about making the transition from wife to protector, nurse, and mother.At the suggestion of a health professional, I began documenting the daily struggles of caregiving. After my husband passed away, I realized my daily journaling could be modified and turned into a valuable and timely resource for other caregivers in similar situations. Writing the book, and in turn helping others in similar situations, helped me to feel that my husband’s illness and my own caregiving struggles were not in vain. Something positive was able to come from the horrific disease called Dementia. Hopefully, the book, written with the help of my sister, Ann Kiser Zultner, will help fill in the huge gap between medical and in-home care for dementia patients.Our book is intentionally designed as a practical guide for dementia caregivers. It begins with the diagnosis, and then moves into dealing with behavioral issues, managing daily living, safety concerns and late-stage. It also includes an assortment of caregiver tools and an extensive list of caregiver resources carers can use to find additional information on a variety of topics. Finally, the paperback version of the book (as opposed to the Kindle version) includes an Index that readers can use to go straight to any topic. I felt this was important since caregivers do not have time to sit down and read anything from start to finish, let alone spend hours researching. Every section also includes how I resolved many of the daily issues while caring for my husband…honestly, I learned everything by trial and error.My husband, Red, proved to me that patience is a prerequisite, laughter is the best medicine, and a smile is worth a thousand words.

Susan Kiser Scarff was an in-home caregiver to her husband, Red, until he passed on December 6, 2006. Prior to her life as a caregiver, she graduated from Northern Arizona University with a BS in Education and Art. Now retired, she spends her time between San Diego and Phoenix, renewing old friendships, completing home renovations, and  moderating a Facebook forum in support of dementia caregivers, @ facebook.com/caregiving101. 
Ann Kiser Zultner learned about caregiving through her sister's experience with Red. She has a BS in Health Science and an MA in Educational Technology. She lives with her husband, two daughters, one dog, and two cats. They all spend as much time as possible with Susan creating new memories and having more fun than they deserve.