Joan Shannell Evans tells her most personal story yet in her latest book – which speaks about the devastation wrought by dementia on her family. In “The Long Nightmare: My Family’s Journey With Dementia” Evans speaks about family members who suffered from a condition that robs people of their memories, their identities, and their connection to their family.
The book is a heartbreaking tale – starting when Joan was just a child growing up in Andros, trying to understand why her grandmother could no longer recognize the family and the tragedy of the end of her life. It was a pattern that Evans would see repeat itself with her mother, aunts, cousins, brother and today, with her sister.
“My mother and I lived on Andros. My mother suffered from it for more than 10 years. She had depression and that led into Alzheimer’s. I would bring her up to Nassau for treatments. When I started caring for my mother, I was just in my 20s.”
Evans said she wrote her book as a source of information, because there may be people who are going through what she did.
“I hope my book can be a source of information and a source of comfort, and bring an awareness that some families go through that.”
For Evans, every day with her mother she said marked a countdown to when the condition would affect her. She said it manifested itself differently with her sister.
“With her Alzheimer’s, my mother suffered from a symptom known as Sundown syndrome. [Sundowning is the name for a group of behaviors, feelings and thoughts people who have Alzheimer’s or dementia can experience as the sun sets. However, this delirium can potentially occur at any time, not just at sunset].
“There was a medication that the doctor gave her for that and we would know when it is 4 o’clock because her behavior changed, which told us, it is time for the medicine. For my sister, sometimes it lasts through the whole day.”
Evans said she hoped the book would be helpful to others going through the same journey – but also said that writing the book was for her a way to deal with the challenges.
“When I am under emotional strain, I write for comfort. I remember when my brother was in his last stage, his son was asking if this happened to everyone.”
She recalled telling him that his grandmother suffered with the same disease.
“So, we had to document this for our family, and I also did it as a way to relieve my emotions. I hope that people read this and see this happens to other people too, and to show, you need help and support. I relived a lot of emotions. Those in the house with the patient have the burden of it – and that hasn’t really changed over the years. I came to a realization about my family. There were times I felt annoyed with family members, but I now realize they were doing the best they can. Writing the book helped me get to a place where I could release those emotions – and writing it helped me to put into perspective some of the things that happened with my mother.”
Evans will hold a book signing and author talk at Logos bookstore on Saturday, May 30, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event will also afford attendees the opportunity to hear advice on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Dr. Krystle Rolle will speak about dementia. Wence Martin from the Alzheimer’s Association in The Bahamas will speak about the organization’s work.
“The Long Nightmare: My Family’s Journey With Dementia” is available on Amazon in print and ebook formats, and in paperback at Logos, in Harbour Bay, New Providence.
Evans, CEO of Joan Shannell Evans Books Publishing, has previously published books in a range of genres – including poetry, drama, inspiration, mystery, children’s fiction, young adult fiction and non-fiction.
