Finding Peace in Chaos: A Caregiver's Journey in a War Zone with Miriam Green
- S2023E102
- 56:43
- November 21st 2023
In a health crisis, we often refer to our journey as a "battle." We may see ourselves as "warriors." This is true for those impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. The diagnosis brings uncertainty, disruption, and fear. But what happens when you're dealing with dementia in the middle of a war zone? When airstrikes are the norm, and screeching sirens interrupt each day, warning you to seek safety and shelter in a minute or less? When ordinary life ceases and the top of mind issue is simply staying alive? Avoiding disaster? Breathing?
On October 7th, Miriam Green, an AlzAuthor living in Israel, found her life as a caregiver turned upside down when terrorists invaded her country. In this podcast, she shares with us the horror and brutality of what occurred, how her country, her family, friends and community have been affected by this conflict, and how they are dealing with it. She is a mother, daughter, grandmother, and wife, and like most women juggles her responsibilities as best as she can on a good day. Now, she struggles to find peace in the chaos, searching for meaningful, uplifting moments, even hope, while carefully balancing her family's needs. We are grateful to her for speaking with us. We take no sides in this conflict and pray for a peaceful resolution soon.
In this episode, you will:
- Learn how Miriam finds brief moments of solace and peace in the midst of war
- See how her mother's care community maintains a routine and stability for their patients even in the most challenging of circumstances, giving them a sense of familiarity and security.
- Discover the unique challenges faced by caregivers who are helping to raise grandchildren while caring for aging parents in war time
- Gain insights into the power of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, and learn how to nurture these qualities within yourself and your care recipients
About Miriam Green
Miriam Greenis the author of The Lost Kitchen: Reflections and Recipes from an Alzheimer's Caregiver. Her poetry has been published in several journals, including Poet Lore, The Prose Poem Project, Ilanot Review, The Barefoot Review, and Poetica Magazine. Her poem, “Mercy of a Full Womb,” won the 2014 Jewish Literary Journal’s 1st anniversary competition. Her poem, “Questions My Mother Asked, Answers My Father Gave Her,” won the 2013 Reuben Rose Poetry prize. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Bar Ilan University, and a BA from Oberlin College. Miriam is a 24-year resident of Israel.
After the Podcast
Find Miriam on Facebook and on Twitter .
Read Miriam's AlzAuthors blog post.
Purchase The Lost Kitchen: Reflections and Recipes from an Alzheimer's Caregiver
Purchase Life on Planet Alz by Jack Cohen, Miriam's father
Note: We are an Amazon Associate and may receive a small commission on book sales which will cost you nothing.
About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.
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AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia
Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast! We’re so glad you found us. We are the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Join us each week as one of our authors shares their dementia journey, revealing intimate details and painfully obtained knowledge to help others currently on this path. We hope our stories offer comfort and support as we strive to break the silence and stigma surrounding a dementia diagnosis. May one of our authors speak to your experience. For more info please visit https://alzauthors.com.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
Meet Our Hosts
Marianne Sciucco is a registered nurse, dementia daughter, and author of the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, based on a couple she met through her work. It is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart-wrenching disease. Marianne cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20+-year nursing career. She provided care to her stepfather during his dementia journey, and witnessed the painful decline of four beloved aunts to the disease. She's a founding member of AlzAuthors, sits on the Board, and is a director and manager. She can talk about AlzAuthors all day.
Christy Byrne Yates is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), retired school psychologist, author, speaker and coach/consultant. Her book, Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation recounts her journey as a working mother of two who also managed the care of her parents, both of whom had some form of dementia. Combining her lived experience with her professional expertise in human development, wellness and a strengths based approach to finding solutions, Christy develops content, workshops and coaching to support Sandwiched families. She incorporates meditation, mindfulness and other evidence based mind/body practices into her work. She’s worked with care communities, financial professionals, estate planners and employers. Christy has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and graduate credentials in both education and school psychology.
Support Us
AlzAuthors is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. The podcast is one way we provide knowledge, comfort, and support to busy caregivers desperate for information. Your generosity will help us to continue our mission to lift the silence and stigma that often accompanies a dementia diagnosis. Please consider making a donation. Thank you.