Alzheimer’s Disease: A Compassionate Guide for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Memory Loss

Los Angeles, California Jan 20, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Alzheimers Disease: Living with John, Caring for a Loved One by Nellie Kidd-Madison is a moving and practical account of life as a caregiver to a spouse diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers disease. Written with clarity, honesty, and quiet humor, the book provides an intimate look at the emotional and physical realities of caring for a loved one whose memory and independence steadily fade.

Drawing from more than sixteen years of firsthand experience, Kidd-Madison chronicles the daily challenges of caregiving after her husband John was diagnosed at the age of fifty-three. As ranchers in Eastern Oregon, the couple faced a dramatic life shift as Johns condition progressed, requiring constant adaptation, patience, and resilience. The narrative captures not only the grief of watching a capable partner decline, but also the determination required to meet each new stage of the disease with dignity and care.

The book serves as both memoir and manual. Kidd-Madison shares practical guidance on essential caregiving tasks, including communication strategies, feeding assistance, hygiene, incontinence, physical handling, and managing wandering behaviors. Equal attention is given to the well-being of the caregiver, emphasizing the importance of family support, respite care, and community resources to prevent exhaustion and isolation.

Former U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield underscores the books value, noting that readers caring for someone with Alzheimers disease will find both recognition and useful insight within its pages. Unlike clinical texts, this work does not focus on medical treatments or pharmaceuticals. Instead, it offers lived knowledge, earned through years of devotion and trial.

Ultimately, Alzheimers Disease: Living with John, Caring for a Loved One stands as a testament to courage, adaptability, and love, providing guidance and reassurance to families navigating one of lifes most demanding journeys.