Southeast author debuts book on Alzheimer care-giving at Sellwood event

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 23, 2023

The Sellwood Community House (SCH) was the venue on November 19 for new local author Holly E. Stern to launch her self-published book entitled, “Small Triumphs: Lessons in Alzheimer’s and Love”.

“This is the book I would’ve loved to have when I was care-giving for my husband Don,” Stern told THE BEE, as some 40 guests were gathering over coffee and cookies. “Basically it’s a ‘companion book’ for people who are going to be care-giving for someone with Alzheimer’s – because care-giving, itself, is usually an isolating situation.”

The book is written in a narrative style, she explained. “I have inserted poetry and short prose, which I wrote at the time, to provide breaks in the narrative.

“The book is divided into three sections: First, talking about the journey; then, the lessons learned; and finally, looking back at the whole process,” said Stern. “Probably the most important lesson that I learned through this process was to be grateful for what we still have, when we have it – things just don’t ‘get better’ with this disease.

“Also, I’d like people to see themselves in this book, and realize that none of us does the job [of care-giving] perfectly. We’re learning as we go.”

The book is available locally at Wallace Books in Westmoreland on Milwaukie Avenue at Knapp, and from Amazon – as well as from the author herself, if you email her at – chateaurex23@gmail.com