Dancing on Quicksand: A Gift of Friendship in the Age of Alzheimer's

Dancing on Quicksand: A Gift of Friendship in the Age of Alzheimer's by Mitchell, Marilyn. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781555663216.

Hired to create adventures for an elderly business luminary named David, who no longer drives but is still vibrant and tenacious, author Marilyn Mitchell soon discovers that David is in the early stages of dementia. The stories from their years together are humorous, heartbreaking, exasperating, and joyous. No sentimental tale of hopeless tragedy, "Dancing on Quicksand" is a spirited, often rollicking memoir that builds around the themes of adventure, the evolution of a sustaining friendship, and the life-lessons Mitchell learns from a man who is losing his brilliant mind. "Dancing on Quicksand" unveils the universal nature of truth and respect while demonstrating that even in troubled times there are abundant opportunities for laughter and for understanding the essence of being human. Although "Dancing on Quicksand" is not an instructional guide for supporting those who have dementia, a cache of practical advice can be gleaned from its pages--innovative ideas about how to cope with what can be described fairly as an epidemic.