Iona, Scotland


 

 

 
   

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE; NO CURE, BUT THERE IS CARE

 

Dr. Jane Thibault, a geriatrician and counselor for families dealing with dementia and I have written a new book, just published by Upper Room Books. No Act of Love Is Ever Wasted: A Spirituality for Caring for Persons with Dementia attempts to go beyond the medical model of care to offer a spiritual model of care for the person suffering from dementia and their caregivers. The book shows how caring can be a mutual spiritual path between caregiver and care receiver, and suggests creative ways of communicating with loved ones whose minds have been ravaged by this disease. Neurologist Louis Catalano, who reviewed the book, writes, "The authors open our eyes to the spiritual options of dealing with those affected by dementia. This book puts a new, restorative system into the caring of, and love for, those affected by dementia, where God fits into this equation, and how each of us can rethink our path in this process."  On the book,  Jane Thibault offers support and suggests ways for caregivers to live with this 36 hour day. I have worked with persons with Alzheimer's disease and dementia for many years, and have learned new and creative ways to relateto persons whose minds and language have been destroyed by this disease. The book can be ordered from Upper Room Books or (1-800-972-0433) and is now available.


Dear Brothers:
Letters Facing Death

by Richard L Morgan, Howard C Morgan and John C Morgan

Sooner or later every person faces questions about death and whether there is anything beyond it.  Questions become more present when one suffers the loss of a loved one. This little book consists of personal and sometimes private letters between three brothers, Richard, Howard and John Morgan, who realize their own lives may soon come to an end. The wisdom they offer is not only for their families and friends left behind, but for others who have faced the loss of loved ones. Writing from different religious perspectives, the letters are spiritual messages as they seek to wrest some wisdom for each other \in the face of death. When he was asked about the essence of his philosophy, Plato reportedly said, "Practice dying."
These letters take his wisdom to heart in a  series of heartfelt exchanges over the course of a year, concluding with each  brother's request for what his memorial service would be like. Because the topic is so close to the human heart, this lovely and provocative book provides a way for us all to open discussion  of our beliefs, fears and hopes of life after death.

The book can be ordered from either wipfandstock or amazon.com.

 
CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
PREPARING FOR THE LIFE TO COME
ARE MATTERS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
 
Richard Morgan would be happy to hear from you by email at rlmorgan@verizon.net or by phone at 724-864-4205.

He will be happy to discuss his books with you or answer questions about the spirituality of aging, caregiving or writing Life Bios.
 
   


QUOTES FROM MY BOOKS

Have you ever seen a boxer get knocked down, and yet with courage get off the canvas and stay in the fight? Knocked down, but not knocked out. Life if hard, and there are times when we get knocked down. Most aging persons have chronic health problems that do not respond to treatment as fast as those of the young. We feel knocked down. Fifty is nifty, but sixty, seventy are iffy. We may be afflicted and suffer many diminishments in old age, but we can get off the canvas and fight again.

-No Wrinkles on the Soul-

As we get in touch with our stories, we gain a sense of who we really are, the person we must be now. Our lives resemble a patchwork quilt. We start with scraps of material, passed on to us, our genetic makeup, our family history and traditions. Then we add other materials with the talents and opportunities we've been given. Each story we tell is like a piece of quilt block that represents one bit of color or one piece of texture. Finally we take all these pieces of material and put them together and they become a unique pattern of our own making. When pieced together the stories become a beautiful quilt. Stories heal us as we remember the diverse fragments and witness the piecing together of the quilt.

-Remembering Your Story-

In our western culture we still believe that people ought not to cry in public. Some who do cry are often embarrassed and quickly try to cover their tears. Most men do not cry very often, and even if they do, they believe it is a sign of weakness. As children, some men were told, "Brave boys don't cry." So people often stifle their tears and cry within themselves. Scientists tell us that people who are able to cry enjoy better mental and emotional health. When you mourn the loss of a loved one, don't stifle your tears. Let them flow!

-Meditations for the Grieving-

  

© Copyright  2007 - Richard L. Morgan