“Keeping Mum” by Marianne Talbot

CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA

‘This book has all the warmth, humanity and insight that made her Saga blogs such a moving and unmissable read.’ – Sage Magazine Health Editor.

When Marianne Talbot’s mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease Marianne found it impossible to put her mum into a care home.

Instead, despite working full time, Marianne cared for her mum in her own home for five years. For nearly three of those years she chronicled in a blog the fears and the frustrations, the love and laughter, the tears and the traumas of caring.

The blog is now a book. Keeping Mum is a heartwarmingly funny, frank and at times emotionally tearing, record of what it is like to care for a beloved parent whose mind is fragmenting.

It is written for anyone, anywhere, who has anything to do with dementia or with caring.

Keeping Mum includes numerous practical tips on daily living, managing others’ finances and the social care system, a resources and useful contacts section and a short chapter on ‘carers’ fury’ (how carers feel about those who are supposed to help but don’t).

Endorsements

In this book, Marianne tells her and her mum’s story, honestly – with all the frustration, despair, satisfaction and joy of being a carer. Her experiences will be a revelation to those who haven’t cared for a loved one yet, and will be of huge comfort and help to carers, who will laugh and cry with it all, and know that they are not alone.

– Imelda Redmond CBEChief Executive, Carers UK