Local hero Joanne Lord, clinical research coordinator at U of M, shares her experiences working with Alzheimer’s patients in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias. Her essay “When Research Becomes a Passion” reveals the importance of connecting to patients on a personal level: how to connect, letting patients know you care, and inevitably, how to say goodbye. “Some people call Alzheimer’s disease the longest goodbye and now I know why,” laments Lord in her personal essay. She refers to her patients as “loved ones,” telling the story of one man who continued to recognize her and smile in her presence while his memory loss set in. Lord’s essay, as well as several others featured in the book, provide support to those affected by individuals with dementia.
Available at Barnes & Noble, 3235 Washtenaw Ave. 734-973-0846. barnesandnoble.com
*Also available for order online through local bookstores.
