Kent Courtney

Dealing with Dementia, Revised Kent Courtney

The Courtney kids grew up knowing that their mother could do anything. After all, she'd proven it time and again. Growing up as a Missouri farm girl, Lovene worked as a Rosie Riveter during World War II. She left Missouri headed for California, but ended up settling in Arizona where she had four kids with her second husband, taking on the daunting task of raising them in forest camps while her husband worked for the Forest Service. After their divorce, she became a single mom with four children, working two jobs to pay the bills, and making sure they all graduated from high school. After her kids left home, she managed her own business. Nothing ever stopped Lovene; there was no hurdle too high for her to jump, no problem too big for her to solve. But then dementia changed who she was, and her children watched their self-reliant, compassionate mother turn into a confused, and often bitter person. Dealing with Dementia is a tribute to an extraordinary woman, and a deeply personal glimpse into the world of dementia care-giving. Kent and Linda give loving, practical advice for caregivers, based on what they've learned from their experiences. Dealing with Dementia is a beautiful love letter to an unforgettable mother, and a comforting resource for families and caregivers of dementia patients.