The Hedge People: How I Kept My Sanity and Sense of Humor as an Alzheimer's Caregiver

"Our large front yard is surrounded by a tall cypress hedge. At least it's a hedge to everyone except my father-in-law. To Art, a retired pastor with dementia and failing eyesight, it's a potential congregation. To him, the trunks of the hedge look like legs, and in his mind, there's a large group of people just outside the front door who need to hear the gospel.

I call them the hedge people.

The first time Art spotted the hedge people, he whispered in awe, "There's a small part of a million people out there. Do you think any of them play the piano?"

"Not a one," I answered, quite sure I was being truthful.

Sometimes Art stands on the front steps and preaches to the hedge people. Sometimes, he asks me to join him. Art and me, in the middle of the front yard, waving our arms and beckoning the hedge people to come and take refuge from the cold."

In The Hedge People, author Louise Carey helps you find humor in the unpredictable journey of caring for the elderly. Written from her experiences as a caregiver, Carey offers you solace in the stories and joy in the journey as you face the daily challenges of care giving with God's help.