Journal of Psychiatry

Alzheimerâ??s-living with the disease

27^th International Conference on PSYCHIATRY & PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH

June 18-19, 2018 Paris, France

Caron Leid

Alzheimer Advocate & Care Giver Expert, USA

Keynote: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

When my mother was first diagnosed 17 years ago, at the age of 57, I had a newborn and was propelled immediately into the sandwich generation. There was only a few resource or information surrounding living with the disease in the year 2000. I started journaling my experience more for cathartic purposes, and then had the courage enough to publish it in hopes of helping others. Since then, I have written several journal articles on the topic of Alzheimer�??s disease and living with the disease. I have appeared on CTV National News; I have worked with the Alzheimer�??s Society of Canada and have spoken at an International Alzheimer Disease and Dementia conference in 2015. 17 years of the day to day emotional, mental and physical management of the disease has provided me a unique perspective and the ability to help educate others. I am presently working on my second book on the disease and revising my first book to include the palliative care experience. I have seen this disease from the beginning and now I am witnessing the end stages first hand. My mother still resides with me, as we journey toward the end of this disease. I am now an expert in living with the disease as a sandwich generation primary caregiver. I have gone through the disease and all the collateral damage that takes place alongside of it, including compassion fatigue. Since my mother�??s diagnosis 17 years ago of �??Atypical�?� Alzheimer�??s disease and the fact that she has been in palliative care for 2 years in my home, allows me to research the disease first hand and show the world that caregiving is an integral part of managing and living with Alzheimer�??s disease.

Biography :

Caron Leid is an Author, Alzheimer’s Advocate, Keynote Speaker and Caregiver. She is a Doctoral candidate and has published several articles on the topic of living with Alzheimer’s disease. She is a dedicated mother and passionate student. Her book Alzheimer’s: What They Forget to Tell You has been featured on chapters, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and international bookstores. Her career and passion surrounds educating others and she believes in the pay it forward principle. As a primary caregiver for her mother for the last 17 years, she hopes that her story can inspire people who struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and the various aspects surrounding the disease.

E-mail: caronleid@caronleid.org