The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

CHOOSING JOY by Helene Berger is subtitled "Alzheimer's: A Book of Hope" and was inspired by the unanticipated positive results Berger's husband achieved after his diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Berger says her "goal is to give hope and offer concrete suggestions." The book is divided into sections titled Foundations (background and acknowledgment of shifting roles), Practical Approaches (Acceptance, an Active Mind, Creating a Healthy and Safe Environment) Interaction with Others (Aides, Doctors, Self-Care), and Looking Back (reflecting on the Power of Love). Berger notes that this text in no way implies similar success for other caregivers. However, reviews by caregivers are universally positive and appreciative of the helpful, hopeful insights which Berger relays. They comment on Berger's belief, developed during her six years as a caregiver, to "fight the disease; embrace the journey" as a new perspective for being a caregiver. Her message is to regard this diagnosis as "another life opportunity to learn and to grow – to learn that we always have options, even if it's only the attitude we bring to conditions that we would do anything to change." She is frank and open in her writing, sharing hard-earned wisdom and saying, "CHOOSING JOY chronicles my real life experiences: the tears, the frustration, the uncertainty, the many mistakes, as well as the successes."

In this book, Helene tells of how she cared for her husband Ady after he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. She gives a lot of advice and details all the strategies that have worked for her, turning a desperate situation into one of regeneration and hope. Having never been in such a situation, I can't judge how much is specific to this case and how much can be implementable to other patients, but I do believe everyone having to care for a patient with Alzheimers can get something out of this book.
This book is easy to read, and I loved having notes and drawings from Ady throughout the book as it made it more personal.

Wonderful book that is first of its kind that both makes sense, offers practical and emotional support
for patients and their caregivers. This book is written with such a rich complexity that it offers more support with the process of taking care of loved ones that can become an overwhelming challenge between family members.

Helen Berger spent the last years of her marriage to Ady Berger caring for him as he lived with Alzheimer's and its effects. In Choosing Joy: Alzheimer's: A Book of Hope, she recounts her experiences and offers a sympathetic voice of comfort, hope, and advice.



The theme that stood out the most to me is the Berger's love and affection for each other. Helen never wavered in her commitment to Ady, and Ady never ceased showing his affection for her, writing her daily notes, always acting as a gentleman when they were out. The disease did not lessen his sweet, loving nature. In her case, even with the changing nature of their relationship, she writes "my love for Ady during those six years not only did not diminish, it actually grew."



Helen's commitment to Ady included not giving up on his ability to grow and fight the effects of the disease. She considered it her mission "to do everything in my power to slow the process of decline and give my husband the greatest fulness of life." Over the years, she saw a "shocking but indisputable improvement in Ady's memory and functioning." Even in the waning months of Ady's life, she saw improvements in his cognition. Her experience, in some ways, contradicts the medical literature on Alzheimer's, but she testifies that due to "constant mental stimulation, love, appreciation, and a nurturing, conflict-free, calm environment" Ady was able to achieve a level of regeneration.



Besides talking about her own experiences and her relationship with Ady, Helen has practical advice for caregivers. She clearly is not a medical professional, and doesn't claim to be, but her insights on diet, exercise, and lifestyle are worthy of consideration. She also has insights on selecting and managing caregivers and home health aids, navigating doctor visits and emergency care, and planning the logistics of day-to-day life.



Helen and Ady may have had a charmed relationship, and they clearly have financial means that many families don't. But no matter what your circumstances or relationship, Helen offers a perspective that caregivers will find worth reading. If a loved one or family member is living with Alzheimer's, Choosing Joy is worth your time.





Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

A bit of Pollyanna, a bit of fluff, mixed with golden nuggets of advice and truth. This book is very simply written and a very easy, quick read. Her formulas for success worked well with her husband, but being someone who works with the elderly, I wonder how much of that was just the disposition of her husband. Every case of Alzheimer’s is unique in so many ways and what worked with Ady, may not necessarily provide a formula of hope for every Alzheimer’s patient. If you apply her strategies to the best of your ability and have no, or little, success, please don’t blame yourself or think that you didn’t do enough. Your loved one may just have a different set of behaviors that don’t respond to this kind of program. While intended for good, I feel this book may be more harmful than helpful to many people. If you choose to read it, glean all the good that you can, but don’t let her successes goad you into guilt if you don’t have the same results. I have the highest respect for all of those who have a loved one with Alzheimer’s and know that you are doing the best you can under some very difficult circumstances. Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy to review.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley!!

This is a story of a woman who refused to surrendered to the implications of her husban'd's diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Ady was diagnosed shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

This books contains some great information and resources for both the patients and the caretakers.