Endorsements
“With wisdom, tenderness, and intellectual integrity, Hull invites us into the lived reality of Alzheimer’s caregiving and reveals compassion as a resilient, evidence-supported human capacity. Grounded in both science and story, this book demonstrates how attentive presence can endure even as memory does not. The Heart of Caring in the Age of Forgetting is a meaningful contribution to the fields of caregiving, healthcare ethics, and compassion research—and a profoundly comforting companion for anyone walking beside another through vulnerability and change.”
— Robert Cusick, Director Of Compassion Education (Ccare) at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University
“This poignant memoir perfectly captures the emotional and logistical roller coaster of caring for an adult parent with Alzheimer’s disease, how it impacts everything from work to sibling relationships, and the systematic societal gap between the care a person with Alzheimer’s needs and the available resources.”
—Quinn Kennedy, Phd, Dipaclm, Director of Aging Research, Neurofit
“The Heart of Caring in an Age of Forgetting is a poignant reflection of the often overwhelming challenges of caring for a loved one with progressive and intractable memory loss. Diana Hull transcends helplessness through a series of healing perspectives for coping with one of the greatest challenges many of us will ever endure.”
—Barry Bittman, MD, neurologist, CEO, Institute for Innovative Healthcare
“Hull weaves a tale of many strands. She masterfully shows us her mother’s journey through the terrain of Alzheimer’s, while sharing her insights as daughter–caregiver. Herself a health professional, Hull addresses both the gifts and shortcomings of healthcare institutions charged with helping families navigate this complex illness.
Hull leads the reader intimately through trajectories of decline and resilience in the face of a disease for which there is no cure. Unable to fix, Hull highlights how tolerance for uncertainty and the sacred tools of kindness, attentiveness, and connection are prized companions along the path. This book is a tender and informative guide to the subtle tapestry of Alzheimer’s.”
—Debora Bone, Rn, Phd,
Retired Director, Cabrillo College Stroke and Disability Learning Center
“The Heart of Caring in the Age of Forgetting is a love story. While it addresses dementia, Alzheimer’s, and the complexities of cognitive decline, what captivated me was its portrayal of a genuine relationship between a mother and daughter. Hull, the daughter, was entrusted with her mother’s healthcare guardianship and approached it with loyalty and love. This book serves as a manual, guide, and inspiration for anyone facing cognitive decline and for those supporting their loved ones through it. Hull’s curiosity, intelligence, sacrifice, acceptance, compassion, and surrender deeply touched me—and I believe they will touch you too.”
—Raven Lang, OMD, midwife,
founder of the Institute of Feminine Arts,
and author of The Birth Book
“The Heart of Caring in the Age of Forgetting is a true hero’s journey of caring for elders, which highlights the inner transformation of the ultimate journey. As Hull says, music opens the heart and awakens the mind when little else can.”