Thank you to Jann for expressing so much personal pain, joy & humour. Living with a family member who also has Alzheimer's - I shared some of her same experiences. I didn't find the recipes all that helpful, because most required too much shopping for ingredients & lengthy prep time. Maybe her family's asst caregivers were able to take on some of those tasks. In my household, that would have to be me & along with my other caregiver tasks, searching for ingredients was low on my priority list.

After 140 pages of this book, I didn't want to finish it - half hoping that yet another upsetting death might NOT come near the end. I also found certain recurring comments about Jann's mother's losing & forgetting things got to be too repetitive & could have used some editing. I do appreciate her tip about caregivers trying to stay away from becoming the MEMORY POLICE! (easier said than done!) Maybe as an Alzheimer's caregiver, I need to read more light-reading, distracting books - rather than ones mirroring my own early family dementia journey.

BUT WE SO LOVE YOU JANN!! For all the difficult & painful family struggles you have endured.

excellent read, Jann personalized her book and gave you insight on Alzheimers in her own way

This is perhaps the most poignant book I have read in a long time. Jann Arden has shared the story of her parenting her parents when they become dependent on her. What defines the book is not the grief and despair rather it is the humour with which Jann's mother, and consequently Jann herself, handle the situation. This is an upside down world where Jann takes on the role of mothering her mother and she does it with humour and food. I loved the recipes Jann has shared and i could relate to every story Jann told of her parents. When Jann points out that MOM is WOW upside down I nearly cried. As Baby Boomers entering the stage where we become caregivers to our parents, this book is sure to have a huge following. A real keeper.

The book itself identifies and endures Jann with both of her parents; then in the latter half focuses/emphasizes her relationship highs and lows with her mother primarily. However, after seeing her televised mini-series, one time, gave me a diminished respect towards her and a much lower opinion of her now. I don't know if her strange outbursts and unruly, wild behaviour on t.v. screen, are the result of producing higher viewer t.v. ratings or rather truly her actual lifestyle & real personality in daily life? (The one, distasteful trailer, couch, scene stood out the most in my mind). Also, she is burdening her relatives and family members with her chores & problems which she needs to address and sort-out on her own with her resources. Thx.

The format presented an easy read - for some maybe. Jann Arden expressed every emotion I'm now experiencing ,,, that made it a somewhat difficult read (hence I had to request a renewal) but Jann affirmed I'm not alone. You, too, are not. Help shine a light into this progressive disease of dementia. A must read whether you're trying to cope now or need to equip yourself for the future.

Jann is a surprisingly good writer and observer of human nature. This book is genuine and intimate. Recommended to my sisters. Highly recommend. My previous exposure to Jann Arden was through a couple of episodes on Rick Mercer Report; this book shows a deep human side of her.

It was a cute little book, a very, easy, quick read. Interesting book format with her recipes sprinkled in based on cooking for her parents. It expresses very honestly, the angst that often beleaguers those who have parents suffering from dementia, poor health and alzheimer's.
Worth reading.

Practical, like her mom, Jann's heart-melting memoir about her experiences living with and caring for her parents as they age and forget; provides a guide to us on how to live the experience with patience and kindness.
JS

It's informative, funny, personnal and heart breaking. It would help and cheer anyone who is going through this type of trip with a parent or a mate. Jann's mother is a lucky woman and Jann is lucky daughter to have been brought by this incredible mother,

Was not sure what to expect heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Not intended to be a how to just a what is or was. Highly recommended