Song for Rosaleen

Description

"A beautifully crafted memoir of a family coping with their mother's dementia, Song for Rosaleen is both a celebration of Rosaleen Desmond's life and an unflinching account of the practical and ethical dilemmas that faced her six children. Told with love, insight, humour and compassion, it raises important questions about who we become when our memories fail, how our rapidly ageing population can best be cared for, and what this means for us all"--Back cover. CONTENTS1. Speaking out 7 2. Tamarillo chutney 16 3. Babies 27 4. Portfolios 36 5. Wonderland 45 6. Circle the wagons 53 7. Different mothers 64 8. Silver weddings 76 9. Driving test 84 10. Therapeutic fibbing 92 11. Role models 100 12. Wise old woman 109 13. Ladylike behaviour 120 14. Hair cuts 133 15. Party over 138 16. Boarding school blues 14717. A new friend 158 18. Home visit 169 19. A prayer 177 20. Acts of kindness 184 21. Alive inside 190 22. The star 199 23. Hole in the hallway 206 24. Toothache 214 25. Alone is lonely 223 26. Fortisip 232 27. Going home 239Epilogue 247 Bibliography 252 Acknowledgements 253 About the author 255