When Your Parent Becomes Your Child

A Journey of Faith Through My Mother's Dementia

By: Ken Abraham

Narrated by: Tim Lundeen

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

At first, Ken Abraham wrote off his mother’s changes in behavior as quirks that just come with old age. There was memory loss, physical decline, hygiene issues, paranoia, and uncharacteristic attitudes. He soon realized that dementia had changed her life - and his family’s - forever. "How is it possible to lose a loved one while he or she is still living, still sitting right in front of you, talking with you, smiling at you - and yet the person you have known and loved for years is somehow gone?" According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. That’s one in eight older Americans. More than likely, that figure includes someone you know and love.

As he chronicles his own mother’s degenerative condition, New York Times best-selling writer Ken Abraham educates while offering inspiration to help listeners cope with and manage their family circumstances. With humor and spiritual reminders of God’s command to honor our parents, Abraham encourages listeners through often-difficult responsibilities. And though, in most cases, patients will not recover this side of heaven, he suggests many practical things that families can do to make the experience safer, kinder, and more endurable for everyone involved.

When Your Parent Becomes Your Child tells the story of one family’s journey through dementia while offering hope to family members and friends, that they might better understand the effects of the disease. Don’t let this catch you by surprise; be informed before you face the challenges and difficulties of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This audiobook can help.

©2012 Ken Abraham (P)2012 Oasis Audio

Sadly, sadly, so sadly that is a must read

My mother has senile dementia, just as the author's mother. I bought the book with the hope of finding something useful for dealing with her illness. However, I found the same sad history of his journey through this hell. Luckily, for him, his mother is kind of a very nice dementia patient. My mother is not that sweet, furthermore, she is an atheist, so believing in nothing makes the illness even hopeless. I have wondered myself what we have done to deserve to watch a loved one going through this. At the end, there is no cure, no hope. I found myself crying when doing my commuting and hearing this book. I can't say don't read it. Read it because it may help to know that you are not alone.
Read it and be prepared because this illness is a very expensive one, so not only takes away your happiness but all your assets. Read it, because it can last more than a decade.
However to be honest, my husband sometimes complains if I at the end will be like she is. And honestly I have answered to him, let me, take me to an asylum and forget about me. I have hated this time, I don't want anyone else to suffer the same hell I have suffer. I don't want my son besides me, watching me. I don't know is just me. I hope that in the near future life ending life decision could be legally made. I hope to have that chance.

So Helpful for my journey with my mom

So helpful with the dementia journey with my mom. Story is so Real and heartbreaking

This book was just what I needed

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and so needed this right now. I’m currently in a similar situation as the author. Thank you for sharing your journey which will help readers manage there journey on this path.

I'm so grateful for this book!

This helped me put my own current situation with caring for my own mother with dementia in perspective. I appreciate the information so much. I wish I would have read this 3 years ago. My mother also played the piano and is a Godly woman, so this book almost felt like a story about her.

Found a little too late, but still in time

I just took my
Mother to a nursing Home one week ago, due to dementia. I needed this book so much, and honestly, detail by detail it is my mother’s story. Thank you so much for writing this book.

Great book

I loved the book.. it is a story like, education like, it's full of knowledge out of real time experience. Helps me to understand how to help my boyfriend's father, who I like dearly.

Blessings to you and your Family

Thank you so much God Bless you I needed you and Miss Minnie in my life

The help I needed

Upon diagnosis of parent this was the first book I read on the disease. It was so relatable and what to expect. I listened I learned and I cried. This disease is horrible for the person and the caregivers. Thank you for sharing

My beloved dad

I purchased this book due to my dad’s dementia and how much the title related to what I feel.
The dementia is progressively stripping him away from me. My heart aches daily and it is very hard for me to see him like this however this book truly helped me during one of my saddest days. I know they will be many more sad days ahead but I also know I am not alone in the parent dementia world.
I was Blessed and thankful to have found this book.
I will be listening to it again.

Fantastic Read!

I related so well to this book. I shed may tears, but enjoyed reading as it was somewhat of a comfort in the familiarity.