GB: I think
that's a great motto, and that all
caregivers need to take a look at
what they do on a daily basis
because it does have such grace to
it.
MS: You try and do
the best you can and move on. So
that's what I do. I've written this
book and it's my way of helping
people in this situation; helping
myself, helping my family, and I
hope helping millions of other
people. I'm just trying to work the
best way I can.
GB: What kind of
response have you gotten to the
publication of What's Happening to
Grandpa?
MS: It's been on the New
York Times Bestseller's List, which
was a goal of mine, so I'm very
happy about that. I get
extraordinary responses. I had a man
come up to me today, not but an hour
ago. He told me that he had put his
mother into assisted living and that
she has Alzheimer's. He started to
cry and said that this book meant
everything to him and he's in his
50s. So I'm getting reactions from
kids, from parents and from spouses.
It has been truly wonderful and I
think it's one of those books that
will be there for many other
families that will have to deal with
this issue.
GB: So the book
became therapy for you, too?
MS: Yeah,
absolutely, and I hope that it will
be a friend to and helpful for
millions of other people.
GB: One thing I
like in particular is that it is
very accessible, allowing a new
caregiver to explain to a child what
is going on with the disease.
MS: Yes, I hope
that it is, because you must explain
to your children and to your
children's children. This is my
public service for Alzheimer's—to
try and spare some people from, "Oh
my gosh, how do I explain this?" Now
there's a book.
GB: How should
someone navigate their way as a
caregiver of someone living with
Alzheimer’s disease?
MS: I think that
everyone manages it in different
ways and every family deals with it
in different ways. It's important
that every family know that they are
doing the best they can, that what's
right for them is right for them,
and not to judge, "Well this person
was able to stay at home and care
for their loved one, and I'm unable
to do this, so I must be bad." I
think we need to be very conscience
of not doing that to people, and
that we all figure out that everyone
develops their caregiving situation
the best way that they can for their
family.
