The Longest Goodbye (S4, E5)

This week on FOX Rehabilitation’s Live Better Longer podcast, we are joined by author Shelly Calcagno, who talks about her new book, The Longest Goodbye: A Family’s Hope-Filled Journey Through Alzheimer’s. Shelly recalls the time when her mother forgot the word for dandelions and instead called them “yellow flowers.” That was the first sign of her mother’s cognitive decline and the beginning of a 10-year journey with Alzheimer’s, which Shelly writes candidly about in her book. Though she was slowly losing one of the most important people in her life, Shelly talks about cherishing moments of joy, which are simultaneously intertwined with grief. She also explains the importance of finding hope in difficult times. Shelly’s book sheds light on Alzheimer’s, how to support a loved one going through it, and what resources family members can use to help them during this difficult time.