About this item
Are the Keys in the Freezer? is an artful blend of practical advice and the compelling story of a family's search for the right care for their mother with dementia. This well-researched book is a must-read for families in the US looking for resources and ideas about care facilities, hospices, finances and costs of care, advance directives and other topics related to managing the affairs of the elderly with dementia. A story of conflict and of light-hearted moments, Are the Keys in the Freezer? is the rich personal testimony of a family's struggle to navigate the confusing world of dementia care choices for their mother. The book is an insider's guide to unravelling medical, legal, and regulatory issues that affect the quality of care for loved ones who cannot make care decisions for themselves.
About the Author
Pat Woodell, Brenda Niblock, and Jeri Warner are first-time writers in the field of dementia care. The compelling story of their mother's decline into dementia is blended with research, practical insights, and tips for families looking for direction in how to care for aging spouses or parents. Pat has written numerous technical publications for the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development in Anchorage where she worked for twelve years as a project manager and instructor. After retirement, she volunteered for the Consumer Protection Division in the Washington State Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection. Pat received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, with majors in English literature and German literature, and a master's degree in Asian studies from the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Philippines. Brenda is a graduate of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, and holds a master's degree in science and teaching from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She is a retired health educator, having advocated for prevention of tobacco use for over two decades. Brenda volunteers as a public speaker and educator for Donate Life Northwest, promoting awareness of the need for more registered organ donors. A transplant survivor herself, Brenda understands the importance of advocacy in medical issues, and uses this experience in her role as a facilitator for a liver transplant support group. Jeri was a physical therapist for thirty-five years and retired after twenty-one years with Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon. Her focus was orthopedics. She received her bachelor's degree in physical therapy from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. Jeri's experience in the health-care field prepared her for working with older adults faced with the physical challenges of aging. Jeri is active in her community and volunteers as an English tutor for adults. The family's story is based on experiences in a real town and actual care facilities in the Pacific Northwest.
