Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease

by Jade C. Angelica

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Author: Jade C. Angelica

Publisher: Skinner House Books

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 1558967117
ISBN 13: 978-1558967113

Jade Angelica shares the wisdom and hope she gleaned from caring for her mother and from many years working closely with Alzheimer's patients and caregivers. Challenging the predominant belief that people with Alzheimer's no longer have purpose, potential, or the capacity for meaningful relationship, Where Two Worlds Touch is both a spiritual memoir and a pastoral guide for those who love someone with Alzheimer's. Readers will find here the reassuring words of a friend who has been there and can give advice on preserving connection, finding hope, self-care, and staying open to the possibility of grace.

Review

"Any caregiver who has felt duty-bound to support a spouse, parent, or other loved one with Alzheimer's disease will find a path to compassionate care as they follow Jade Angelica's personal transformation from a wounded, distant daughter to her mother's loving companion in Where Two Worlds Touch. Embedded in wisdom from a variety of spiritual traditions, Jade's inspirational story provides a new and hopeful way for caregivers to approach the daily challenges of Alzheimer's disease and connect meaningfully with loved ones." --Cordula Dick-Muehlke, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Division of Geriatrics, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine

"Where Two Worlds Touch is a timely manifesto that will forever change the way our society cares for individuals with dementia. This is a must-read book for all caretakers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Angelica is a prescient observer of the human condition and has done a wonderful job of providing rich anecdotes, clear prose, and novel strategies that really work. Given that there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, it is imperative that our society develop and follow a humane standard of care for these individuals. Where Two Worlds Touch provides a blueprint for how we can ameliorate the suffering and dramatically improve the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients." --Justin Feinstein, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Laureate Institute for Brain Research

"Where Two Worlds Touch is a perfect blend of sacred/spiritual and everyday insight for caregivers. Angelica bravely describes her relationship with her mother pre-dementia, helping readers to understand that they can have meaningful relationships with loved ones who have Alzheimer's, even when those relationships have been fraught with difficulty in the past. The book offers practical tools, such as improvisational techniques, and spiritual reflection to help readers transform the lives of people with dementia and their own lives as well. Angelica helps care partners to approach people with dementia in a creative way that does not focus on what the person cannot do. Instead, the focus is on entering into the person's reality, which often leaves us surprised, excited, and humbled at the abilities and memories that remain." --Melanie Chavin, Vice President of Program Services, Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter

"I am so very impressed by this exceptionally well-written and well-researched book. Jade Angelica deserves rave reviews for her unique balance of compassion, insight, and scientific support on a very complex issue. I strongly recommend Where Two Worlds Touch for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's dementia." --Robert A. Stern, Clinical Core Director, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine

"Inspiring! Angelica's day-to-day journey with her Mom through Alzheimer's to death is a deeply informative story of caring and growing in the process. Through the sharing of her story she makes a profound case for the need to be with and for another who suffers from the disease. She also gives many clues about how to do it. I suggest that it's a "must read" for anyone who has a family member or friend with Alzheimer's, and for everyone who works with Alzheimer's patients as a nurse, an aide, or volunteer." --Janaan Manternach, co-author, Alzheimer's Disease: A Handbook for Caregivers, Family and Friends

"The consciousness-raising and worldview-shifting insights found in Where Two Worlds Touch might have a positive systemic impact on society if it were to become the go-to book for those whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's." -Patty Sutherland, ForeWord Reviews

"Jade Angelica has written an intensely personal yet also universally applicable treatment of Alzheimer's disease that is real, honest, and wise. Blending sound research with helpful and often moving accounts of caring (in every sense of the word) for those with Alzheimer's, her writing is clear and engaging and provides a great deal of practical advice." --Stephen Sapp, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

"Grounded in research and inspired by poetry, spiritual insight, and personal reflection, this testimony to the transforming power of love touches at the root of what makes us human--the ability to maintain relationship despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Jade Angelica's indomitable spirit uses every means available to her creative imagination to seek and eventually find a means to heal and be healed through relationship with her mother, who is succumbing to the diminishments of Alzheimer's Disease. This is spiritual direction at its best--alert to Divine guidance while attending to present-moment reality. Ms. Angelica allows knowledge to remain in the background as she deftly gains insight into the nuanced communication of her slowly diminishing mother. Warmly, open-heartedly, keenly, perseveringly, their relationship yields to mutual transformation. This is a testimony to the power of love at work in those who willingly receive. Thank you to Jade Angelica for this witness to the power of the human spirit to prevail in the midst of chaos, darkness, and confusion--a true story of the reality of resurrection for those vulnerable enough to see."--Martha L. Campbell, Former Director, Spiritual Guidance Program, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Washington, DC

"Angelica's life story as an estranged daughter, a Harvard theological student, and eventually the primary caregiver for her mom has led her to a place where she can hold the hands of other caregivers and share her hopeful credo, that two worlds can indeed touch, even if one world is altered by distance and disease. I have decided to gift each of my support group members with a copy of Where Two Worlds Touch." --Joanne Koenig Coste, author of Learning to Speak Alzheimer's

"Jade Angelica captures the essence of being an Alzheimer's care partner. She transforms a task frequently perceived as complex, difficult, and discouraging, into one that is a joyful, rewarding experience for both partners. By being fully present and "saying yes" to her partner's reality, she accepts and validates her partner's persona and joyfully joins her in the world of dementia. Where Two Worlds Touch is a practical and spiritual guide for all who choose to travel the journey through Alzheimer's disease together." --Charles J Farrell, President, Carolyn L Farrell Foundation for Brain Health

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica is the founder and director of the Healing Moments Alzheimer's Ministry (http://healingmomentswebsite.webs.com) and leads workshops, worship services, and trainings around the country. She holds a master of divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School, a certificate from the Shalem Institute Spiritual Guidance Program, and a doctor of ministry degree in Faith, Health and Spirituality from Andover Newton Theological School.

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Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease