Your True North

Anne Kenny, MD, a geriatric and palliative care physician and caregiver to her mother who lived well with and died peacefully from dementia, and Teresa Webb, RN, a woman living with Frontotemporal Dementia and advocate and spokesperson for individuals living with dementia, combine their voices to offer a guide for persons experiencing cognitive loss to begin to explore their thoughts and wishes about their life and to prepare for the changes that dementia will bring. The book guides the reader, using the voices of others who live or have lived with dementia and stories of many others who have faced dementia, to see and plan for the deeper and more valued connections and discussions.

The guide begins with the state of dementia care, receiving a diagnosis, and the stigma that may be encountered with the diagnosis. The guide then explores ways to prepare for communication changes. Communication adaptation is addressed for the person living with dementia and the others in their life. Chapters on reflection, values, and legacy are the heart of the book so that the person living with dementia can articulate their desires as the disease progresses. Finally, the guide offers advice on addressing the legal issues of preparing for the final stage of dementia and how to communicate those wishes to family and the healthcare system.

The guide is full of advice, key learning and action plans to assist in providing tangible steps that can be taken to value life and plan for the life changes. Though Teresa and Anne have different voices, they share the common vision and mission to provide helpful information to guide your decisions and reflections, to assist in communicating your wishes and in living your best life.