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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Watch this amazing Buddhist Monk. Nothing like him. You will laugh.
He says in one video:
" So we all get shit in our lives. Some people get born in shit. Some people grow into shit. And some have shit thrust upon them. That’s paraphrasing Winston Churchill. When you do have shit thrust upon you, accept it — you’ve got no choice — and you dig it in. Under an apple tree. In a garden. We all know that shit is incredible fertilizer.
I love telling people: if you dig in the shit of your life, under the apple tree, then one year later, your apples will be sweeter and juicier than ever before. But you must always remember, when you bite in to that apple, and when you taste its succulent flesh, and the juice drips down your cheek — you must always remember what you are really eating. You’re eating shit. Only its been transformed into juicy apple! And that’s the story of life.
We all have our difficulties and problems. Our sufferings in life. But we learn how to dig those in and turn them into the beautiful flowers of compassion and the beautiful fruit of wisdom."
Chicken Soup for the Soul! There are a series of books. They are great for early and even mid-stage dementia, because they are short stories that can be finished in one sitting. They are all positive and uplifting, many are funny, and they are true anecdotes. Start reading them now so that they are familiar, and they will be good company in the coming years.
Still the world's number one best seller. The Bible. Read both the Jewish Covenant Bible and the New Covenant Bible. Readings about women in the Bibles is encouraged.
Peggy Rowe, the mother of Mike Rowe the Dirty Jobs guy, has written several books that are humorous but also make you pause.
Titles are: "About My Mother" (this is stories about Peggy's mother) "About Your Father" (this is stories about her husband) "Vacuuming in the Nude and Other Ways to Get Attention" (um, self explanatory????) "Oh No, Not the Home!" (about their decision to move to Oak Crest Village in Baltimore, a continuing care retirement community, their transition, and the people they have met there)
I asked ChatGPT and here's the list I got! You are navigating such a difficult situation... I hope one or more of these titles might offer a gentle and entertaining distraction!
Uplifting or Humorous:
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson — A witty, charming story about love and friendship later in life, set in a small English village.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman — Heartfelt and funny, with short chapters and a simple but moving plot. (The film versions may also spark interest.)
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith — Light mysteries with warmth and humor, short episodic structure.
Cozy & Gentle Mysteries:
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman — A group of lively retirees solve murders; funny, fast-paced, and easy to follow.
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear — A gentle mystery series set in post–WWI England, engaging but not overly dark.
Agatha Christie classics (like Miss Marple or Poirot) — Shorter, self-contained mysteries with clean, direct prose.
Light Escapism:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion — A quirky romantic comedy with a lot of humor and heart, straightforward storytelling.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce — A tender, hopeful journey novel with simple prose and emotional resonance.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman — A blend of humor, mystery, and hope, though with some deeper themes.
Shorter Fiction & Stories:
Maeve Binchy short stories — Warm, character-driven tales set in Ireland, each one self-contained.
Anne Tyler novels (like The Accidental Tourist or Redhead by the Side of the Road) — Gentle, character-centered stories with humor and poignancy.
@funkygrandma59, I don't think that was at all helpful for this person. If she is the one with Alz., she does need to be focusing on getting herself someplace safe that can care for her needs and assign finding resources for her husband to someone else. Whether or not she wishes to divorce her husband is her choice, and as she is requesting books to read, if she has dementia she's clearly still in a stage where she can make decisions for herself.
As a Christian, I know the Bible is a source of comfort, but she's wanting distraction, something funny. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to recommend because I read mostly fantasy, and of that, mostly Tolkien who can be dark, but ultimately uplifting. I have heard good things about the Thursday Murder Club, so I would second that suggestion.
OP, I do hope you find some answers, and that you have access to getting help for yourself if you have Alzheimer's. You cannot be your husband's caregiver, full stop. You are, or soon will be, in need of care yourself. Give yourself the gift of help by contacting your local Alzheimer's Association or similar organization and asking for resources for yourself and him. And I hope someone else can suggest some really fun books for you to read while you're in the process of getting help.
You might want to consider signing up for the Library of Congress', National Library Service program for the blind and print disabled. The operative phrase there is print disabled, that includes anyone that has trouble reading for any reason. It all free. They will send you a special player and 6 books that you request on each cassette tape.
I suggest The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman, funny, touching, heartwarming, sad at times. About a group of seniors at an AL who solve murders! Soon to be a Netflix movie as well.
Has your husband been seen by a doctor ? Does he have depression or perhaps undiagnosed early dementia ? Or has he always been like this ?
Sorry I wish I could think of a funny book to cheer you up .
Perhaps call your County Area Agency of Aging . Look on your county website under elder services . Speak with a social worker , then they can check on your situation at home on a regular basis to see how you are doing and they can help you find help .
You mean to tell me that you're the one with dementia, and you're having to take care of your lazy husband and not visa versa? Instead of reading a book, why don't you instead divorce the SOB, before your dementia gets too far along and you won't be able to? And only you can decide what you will or won't do for him going forward. If you just stop doing for him, he will have to learn to do for himself, as he's going to have to learn sooner or later anyway if you have dementia. So you might as well make him do for himself now.
And if you still want a good book, I will recommend The Good Book, the Bible as that will let you know that you're never alone and that there is a God who loves you and will never leave you nor forsake you, which should be comforting as you travel this very difficult road of dementia. God bless you.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
Watch this amazing Buddhist Monk. Nothing like him. You will laugh.
He says in one video:
" So we all get shit in our lives. Some people get born in shit. Some people grow into shit. And some have shit thrust upon them. That’s paraphrasing Winston Churchill. When you do have shit thrust upon you, accept it — you’ve got no choice — and you dig it in. Under an apple tree. In a garden. We all know that shit is incredible fertilizer.
I love telling people: if you dig in the shit of your life, under the apple tree, then one year later, your apples will be sweeter and juicier than ever before. But you must always remember, when you bite in to that apple, and when you taste its succulent flesh, and the juice drips down your cheek — you must always remember what you are really eating. You’re eating shit. Only its been transformed into juicy apple! And that’s the story of life.
We all have our difficulties and problems. Our sufferings in life. But we learn how to dig those in and turn them into the beautiful flowers of compassion and the beautiful fruit of wisdom."
Gena / Touch Matters
You have two challenges: yourself with ALZ and taking care of your husband.
Take care of yourself, first. Perhaps your husband has depression, so get him evaluated by his doctor to rule out conditions and make him happier.
Here is a link for books at At Place for Mom:
book to read with alzheimer's alzheimers patients - Search
I found one called Still Alice. Find some funny stories or fun books at the simplest level you can understand while you are able to.
Titles are:
"About My Mother" (this is stories about Peggy's mother)
"About Your Father" (this is stories about her husband)
"Vacuuming in the Nude and Other Ways to Get Attention" (um, self explanatory????)
"Oh No, Not the Home!" (about their decision to move to Oak Crest Village in Baltimore, a continuing care retirement community, their transition, and the people they have met there)
Uplifting or Humorous:
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson — A witty, charming story about love and friendship later in life, set in a small English village.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman — Heartfelt and funny, with short chapters and a simple but moving plot. (The film versions may also spark interest.)
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith — Light mysteries with warmth and humor, short episodic structure.
Cozy & Gentle Mysteries:
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman — A group of lively retirees solve murders; funny, fast-paced, and easy to follow.
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear — A gentle mystery series set in post–WWI England, engaging but not overly dark.
Agatha Christie classics (like Miss Marple or Poirot) — Shorter, self-contained mysteries with clean, direct prose.
Light Escapism:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion — A quirky romantic comedy with a lot of humor and heart, straightforward storytelling.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce — A tender, hopeful journey novel with simple prose and emotional resonance.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman — A blend of humor, mystery, and hope, though with some deeper themes.
Shorter Fiction & Stories:
Maeve Binchy short stories — Warm, character-driven tales set in Ireland, each one self-contained.
Anne Tyler novels (like The Accidental Tourist or Redhead by the Side of the Road) — Gentle, character-centered stories with humor and poignancy.
As a Christian, I know the Bible is a source of comfort, but she's wanting distraction, something funny. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to recommend because I read mostly fantasy, and of that, mostly Tolkien who can be dark, but ultimately uplifting. I have heard good things about the Thursday Murder Club, so I would second that suggestion.
OP, I do hope you find some answers, and that you have access to getting help for yourself if you have Alzheimer's. You cannot be your husband's caregiver, full stop. You are, or soon will be, in need of care yourself. Give yourself the gift of help by contacting your local Alzheimer's Association or similar organization and asking for resources for yourself and him. And I hope someone else can suggest some really fun books for you to read while you're in the process of getting help.
Sorry I wish I could think of a funny book to cheer you up .
Perhaps call your County Area Agency of Aging . Look on your county website under elder services . Speak with a social worker , then they can check on your situation at home on a regular basis to see how you are doing and they can help you find help .
Instead of reading a book, why don't you instead divorce the SOB, before your dementia gets too far along and you won't be able to?
And only you can decide what you will or won't do for him going forward. If you just stop doing for him, he will have to learn to do for himself, as he's going to have to learn sooner or later anyway if you have dementia. So you might as well make him do for himself now.
And if you still want a good book, I will recommend The Good Book, the Bible as that will let you know that you're never alone and that there is a God who loves you and will never leave you nor forsake you, which should be comforting as you travel this very difficult road of dementia.
God bless you.