Alzheimer's -- A Love Story -- One Year in My Husband's Journey

A Book Review

by Katie Ransohoff, High School Student Writer

Alzheimer's -- A Love Story -- One Year in My Husband's Journey by Ann Davidson chronicles Julian, Ann's Husband, and his decline through Alzheimer's. The book begins with the diagnosis of Julian's Alzheimer's almost immediately after Ann survives breast cancer, and details their lives changing as their relationship changes from that of husband and wife to that of caregiver and patient. They must learn to accept these changes and to live with them.

Julian's resistance to this change in his freedoms and independence lessens as Ann's patience grows. The gradual decline feels personal with the book written almost in diary form from Ann to the reader.

The book gives a real-life account of the affects of Alzheimer's on not only the patient, but all those around them. Each day, as Julian's condition worsens, the reader feels the pain as Ann does losing her husband, former prolific author and professor at Stanford University. He declines slowly, first not knowing where his socks are or not being able to follow a conversation, to not being able to remember his name, or how to put his clothing on.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is a friend, relative, spouse, or caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's, or anyone who is interested in the effects of Alzheimer's on the patient and caregivers.

Read the Atom's Family story, written by teen writers, as they deal with this issue and give us your opinion.