FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: BONNIE J. HACKBARTH, 502-625-1658 (OFFICE), 502-552-3770 (MOBILE)

Two Kentucky Residents Stories Resident Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimers & Other Dementias
Alzheimers Association and Chicken Soup for the Soul Release Collection of 101 Stories of Caregiving, Coping and Compassion
LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 21, 2014 Two Kentucky residents - Theresa Hettinger of Louisville and Lisa Richardson of Georgetown - have been selected as published authors in the new edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimers & Other Dementias, which goes on sale tomorrow. The book, comprised of essays, stories and poems from people living with Alzheimer's or another dementia, as well as from caregivers and affected friends and family members, will help raise awareness of the Alzheimers epidemic and comfort those impacted by the disease, said Teri Shirk, executive director of the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimers Association. For more than 20 years, Chicken Soup for the Soul has published inspirational books with extraordinary stories. The Alzheimers Association and Chicken Soup for the Soul collaborated to create this important collection to support the more than five million Americans living with Alzheimers and their 15.5 million caregivers. The personal submissions provide practical advice, encouragement, insight and support to readers. The books are available online and from local booksellers; the Alzheimers Association will receive a portion of the proceeds for as long as the books are sold, Shirk said. Out of thousands of submissions, the Kentucky residents articles two of just 101 personal stories chosen to be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimers & Other Dementias. In her article, Hettinger questions what her mother still sees now that she is in her 18th year with Alzheimers. I wonder if she sees me struggle with the parent-child role reversal as I am forced to make decisions about her health and wellbeing on her behalf. And if I make a mistake with her care, does she forgive me? Hettinger wrote. And then she answers her own question: I wonder - but only for a moment. Because I am sure she does. I can see it in my mothers eyes. Richardson shared a story about the day her mom saw a bear in the back yard. As it turned out, the bear was actually the neighbors escaped cow.

When people ask me about my familys journey with Alzheimers, I think it shocks them when I laugh out loud and smile, Richardson wrote. Not the reaction they expect, I think. Then I share the bear story with them. And they laugh with me. Because Mom forgot where the forks were in the kitchen, she forgot how to put her clothes on, she forgot her sisters but she never forgot that bear. Every life is a legacy, the gift of stories and accomplishments from the past to be shared with children, grandchildren and extended family members, Shirk said. These two stories, and the 99 other stories in this edition of Chicken Soup, inspire caregivers across the Commonwealth, as well as our hundreds of volunteers, to continue our fight to end Alzheimers. Alzheimers disease is the nations sixth leading cause of death and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the U.S. without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. In Kentucky, 67,000 people have Alzheimers, and they are being cared for by 267,000 friends and family members. In 2013, 15.5 million family and friends provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care to those with Alzheimers and other dementias. For more information about Alzheimers disease, visit the Alzheimers Association at www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900. About the Alzheimers Association The Alzheimers Association is the worlds leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimers disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia Visit www.alz.org/kyin or call 502-451-4266 or 800-272-3900. ###