2022
Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease
Dr. Stephen Post, thought-leader in the Alzheimer’s field since the 1990s, shines light on the critical role caregivers have in companioning people who are living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Dr. Post's new book, Dignity for Deeply Forgetful People: How Caregivers Can Meet the Challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease, discusses important information that every professional, family, and/or informal caregiver needs to know...about why and how to care for deeply forgetful people in ways that meet their unique and ever-changing needs, and enhance the quality of their lives and the lives of their loved ones. The book contains a section about the Caregiver Resilience Program, Meeting Alzheimer’s, developed by Jade Angelica.
I have always known that a primary part of my life's purpose is to observe and to report about what I have observed. My writing on many topics—mainly in the style of essay or creative nonfiction, and the genre of memoir—has served to fulfill this purpose.
In my early 30s, as I was consciously considering my current and future career choices, I left a workshop I had attended with the awareness that one of my purposes for being on earth was to “observe and report.” I didn’t realize until much later that this process and purpose would be manifested by writing.
The first time someone commented on my writing I was nine. My fourth-grade teacher had given an assignment to write a story about something important in our lives. I chose wild horses.
To make my story more effective, I cut out a picture of wild horses running from a comic book—clouds of dust surrounding their hooves—and pasted it on the top of the page. My handwriting was clear, done in 1960s, Catholic-school cursive. Although my handwriting was good, I was not considered as smart as my older sister, and I didn’t receive much praise for my school work. That’s why the teacher’s comment on top of my Wild Horses story made an indelible impression. I received an “E” grade (for Excellent) and she wrote: “You should write!”
Click here to read about my journey to becoming an “accidental author.”
Below is information about some of the works I have authored.
2014
Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease
Jade Angelica shares the wisdom and hope she gleaned from caring for her mother and from many years working closely with Alzheimer's patients and caregivers. Challenging the predominant belief that people with Alzheimer's no longer have purpose, potential, or the capacity for meaningful relationship, Where Two Worlds Touch is both a spiritual memoir and a pastoral guide for those who love someone with Alzheimer's. Readers will find here the reassuring words of a friend who has been there and can give advice on preserving connection, finding hope, self-care, and staying open to the possibility of grace.
2013–2016
The Forgiving & The Forgetting
The Forgiving and The Forgetting: Hope and Healing for Alzheimer's is a creative project of Healing Moments for Alzheimer's, a non-profit organization founded by Jade Angelica in 2007 to provide Education, Advocacy, and Ministry for persons with dementia and those who love and care for them.
This is an inspiring, educational play designed for a multidisciplinary audience of family and professional caregivers that creatively and compassionately unites dramatic storytelling, spirituality, improvisation, and Alzheimer’s Science.
The script is available for dramatic performance or reader's theater.
Articles
Alzheimer's
Improvisation Can Help to Heal — Even Trauma, Even Alzheimer’s
"Alzheimer's Caregiving Takes a Village"
"Alzheimer's Caring: How Faith Communities Can Serve People with Dementia and Their Families"
"On a Pilgrimage Through Alzheimer's, Promise and Paradox Intersect"
"Seeing the True Value of Our Loved Ones with Alzheimer's When Our Vision Is Blurred by Tears"
"Acceptance and Gratitude: Transforming Spiritual Practices for Alzheimer's Caregivers"
Additional Works
Homeless Mother Lets the Cruel Knife Drop in The National Catholic Reporter 3/2011
"Sexism on the Sidewalk" in Awakened Woman: 3/2005
"A Call for Direction" in Presence—An International Journal of Spiritual Direction: 3/2011
"From A Front Row Seat In Iowa: A New View of Hillary Clinton"
Author
Where Two Worlds Touch
Challenging the predominant belief that people with Alzheimer's no longer have purpose, potential, or the capacity for meaningful relationship, Where Two Worlds Touch is both a spiritual memoir and a pastoral guide for those who love someone with Alzheimer's. Readers will find here the reassuring words of a friend who has been there and can give advice on preserving connection, finding hope, self-care, and staying open to the possibility of grace.
Previous Works
2002
We Are Not Alone (A Three-Book Set)
This indispensable resource is designed to help caring adults guide adolescent sexual abuse victims through the social services and criminal justice systems. We Are Not Alone, a rare court-oriented resource targeted toward teenage victims, explains the process of reporting, investigating, and prosecuting cases of sexual abuse.
We Are Not Alone also provides a unique and valuable view into the victims’ emotional reactions at various stages of the process, so those helping them can understand the victims’ needs and avoid re-traumatizing them. Two supplemental workbooks—one for male victims and another for females—are available separately. The We Are Not Alone guidebook includes the text of the two supplemental workbooks, along with suggested topics for discussion to gently help adolescent victims bring out their feelings.
1993
A Moral Emergency: Breaking the Cycle of Child Sexual Abuse
Understanding sexuality in our society is difficult. Understanding the sexual abuse of children is even more difficult. This book presents a wealth of information – a history of sexual abuse, actual statistics, first person accounts from victims, legal issues, as well as theological reflections – all condensed into a concise handbook about what many will readily concede is a ‘moral emergency.’ More than merely informative, this book is both prophetic and practical. It includes concrete suggestions for ways that religious and other communities can make a real difference by helping to prevent child abuse and to comfort and protect child victims.
2011
Meeting Alzheimer's: Companionship on the Journey
Meeting Alzheimer’s is an informative, inspiring and holistic introduction to Alzheimer’s disease. This unique audio resource is designed to meet the needs of busy caregivers by providing critical information through an engaging, accessible format. Assimilating and distilling many books and resources, Meeting Alzheimer’s compassionately brings forth critical points about caring for someone with dementia, with the goal of reducing caregiver stress and improving quality of life for both caregivers and care receivers.
This artful and sensitive presentation enlightens caregivers by combining reflections, music, poetry, myths, and metaphors.
Inspired by a quote by St. Teresa of Avila, Meeting Alzheimer’s is mostly about Love. “The important thing is not to think much, but to love much.”
Listen to The Forgiving & The Forgetting
“In your light I learn how to love; In your beauty how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest where no one sees you; but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.” ~ Rumi
Jade Angelica reads an excerpt from Where Two Worlds Touch: A Spiritual Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease