My Mother's Voice

Ann C Hurley, DNSc, Associate Director, GRECC, Adjunct Associate Professor of Nursing, Northeastern University
My Mother's Voice should be read by anyone who has a friend or family member diagnosed with dementia. The author became a trailblazer within the health care system to ensure that her mother's values were made operational in the care plans that determined just how she would live and die.


Howard Block & Rachel Hawk, Alzheimer's Association, Cambridge, MA
This is an outstanding book written by a family caregiver. It is passionate, beautifully written, and will be of great help to others who are going through this agonizing experience.


Dr. Bernie Siegel, author, Love Medicine and Miracles
This useful book is needed to educate and inform us about caring for people with Alzheimer's.


American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
"A tremendous amount of effort, insight and courage went into the creation of My Mother's Voice by Sally Callahan. This is a meaty, honest and illuminating must-read for anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. "To begin with, author Callahan's book covers just about anything a person would need to know about Alzheimer caregiving-from quality of life issues (Chapter 3) to saying good-bye (Chapter 11). There are over 15 tables for those of us who are visual and like our information complete, concise and easily accessible. Tables 2 and 3 from Chapter 6 on long term care not only contain important questions to ask, but also list specifications which help define good care for someone who is seeking placement in an Alzheimer Unit (Special Care Unit)... "Callahan's chapter on quality of life (Chapter 3) includes no-holds-barred sections on dignity, respect, disrespect, manners, comfort, independence versus safety and death, euthanasia and suicide. With regard to matters of perspective Callahan aptly writes: "'In light of this experience it is not surprising to me that persons with Alzheimer's get testy and angry. They must feel as though they are in a foreign country but they can't learn the language and customs. So as caregivers, we should heed the old adage-"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." When working with those with Alzheimer's, enter their world and adapt to it. Learn their language and customs. Respect how they are different and adapt rather than insisting that they adapt, which of course they can not.' "Most of all, Callahan clearly discusses the importance of understanding that the person with Alzheimer's has no control over annoying and repetitive behaviors. She suggests keeping to a routine and redirecting and refocusing the patient with failure-free activities to ward off boredom. Quality of life can be improved, writes Callahan, by becoming an expert observer and by anticipating the patient's needs, and allowing-in fact, encouraging-the patient to function at as high a level as possible. "Obviously, Callahan has not only lived Alzheimer's caregiving, but she has also been a voracious student of the disease who has become part of a network of experts. Chapters are woven with the best new information and theories from the most highly regarded experts in the field... "Callahan does not hold back. She generously shares her wit, wisdom, and even her mistakes... "It is a compelling journey that we are invited to take with author Sally Callahan in My Mother's Voice. Indeed, she did "get through it" (Alzheimer's) with every effort to listen to her mother's voice. Others can benefit from Callahan's words and I think Rita Callahan would be proud of her daughter. Reviewed by Nancy Stone Hindlian, MS
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume 15, Number 4, July/August 2000


Book Description
My Mother's Voice is a daughter's moving tribute to her mother who had Alzhimer's, and an invaluable guide for all those whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's. Eloquent and passionate, this story of love and commitment chronicles author Sally Callahan's struggle to maintain her mother's wishes, values and quality of life while slowly losing her to Alzheimer's. Excellent and insightful advice helps guide caregivers through each phase of the caregiving journey. This is the first book to address in detail the kinds of decisions and ethical issues that face the caregiver who has the durable power of attorney.


About the Author
Sally Callahan was her mother's primary caregiver for more than a decade. A professional educator and certified Alzheimer's trainer, Sally serves as a board member of the Alzheimer's Association of Cape Cod and the Islands, chairs their Patient and Family Services Committee and facilitates a support group. Sally is an avid reader, woodworker and gardener who works at Massasoit Community College, Brockton, Massachusetts. She lives on Cape Cod.


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