THE GIFT OF ALZHEIMER'S Offer Insights Into the Care of Late-Stage Alzheimer's

NEW YORK, June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ As part of Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, Watkins Publishing announces the publication of an innovative new guide with a bold claimAlzheimer's disease can be a gift to both sufferers and carers.

In her groundbreaking book, The Gift of Alzheimer's, psychotherapist and healthcare expert Maggie La Tourelle describes the unexpected treasures that were unlocked as she journeyed with her mother who had Alzheimer's. Instead of destroying their lives, Alzheimer's actually strengthened their bond. La Tourelle shares the techniques she used and the insights she gained and their dialogue demonstrates how this transformation came about.

La Tourelle says, "By joining my mother in her world with an open heart and an open mind, new channels in communication and wellbeing opened up that I had not considered before or even thought possible." Many of La Tourelle's findings have since been confirmed by research in the field of neuroscience. These include: the suggestion that emotional long-term memory may remain intact even when short-term memory has diminished, and the crucial role we play in determining the emotional mood, moment to moment, in the relationship.

"The retention of emotional memory could explain some of the unexpected and disturbing behavior that some people with Alzheimer's exhibit," says La Tourelle. Like many people facing Alzheimer's, her mother was burdened with many painful memories. Using a person-centered approach that focuses on being present, employing NLP principles and engaging in meaningful communication, La Tourelle was able to help her mother heal her painful emotionally memories and come to a place of peace.

Neuroscientists have also found that as cognitive function declines in people with Alzheimer's, empathy increases and this happens exponentially. Not only that, people with Alzheimer's then reflect back to us what we are feeling. This is called 'emotional contagion'. La Tourelle, and the researchers, found that a loving relationship can develop easily with people with Alzheimer's. Knowing this has huge implications for all those involved in Alzheimer's care.

La Tourelle emphasizes that these approaches can be utilized by anyone involved in Alzheimer's care. The book provides useful information and in depth instructions to help others unearth the gifts people with Alzheimer's have to share with us.

Maggie La Tourelle has worked in the field of holistic healthcare for over 30 years as a practitioner, teacher and writer integrating psychotherapy, NLP, kinesiology and energy work. She has presented papers at international conferences and lectured at some of the UK's leading universities. Her book, Principles of Kinesiology, continues to be a worldwide classic. Visit her online at www.maggielatourelle.com.

Pub date: April 28, 2015
ISBN: 9781780289960
$14.95 / Trade Paperback Original
Page count: 272
PR Contact: John Tintera / john@watkinsusa.com

For more information, visit us at www.watkinsusa.com.

Media Contact:
Watkins Media Ltd
John Tintera
562 Winthrop Road
Union, NJ 07083
908-624-0456 / Email

SOURCE Maggie La Tourelle