REVIEWING A BOOK ABOUT AN EXTRAORDINARY CAT:  MAKING THE ROUNDS WITH OSCAR

Oscar, seemingly an ordinary cat, seems to have extraordinary perceptions.  His story is told by Dr. Dosa, a gerontologist who cares for patients with advanced Alzheimer’s in a nursing home.  Families of the patients share their experiences and emotions as caretakers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives of Alzheimer’s patients who, after a lifetime of learning, working and raising children are now unlearning.  They are unlearning how to get home, how to dress and undress – everything that we do that we take for granted every day.

         Oscar is the thread that connects these families on the third floor of this nursing home where end of life decisions are played out daily.  In moving, sometimes heart-wrenching accounts, Dr. Dosa weaves the tale of a cat that senses the families’ needs.  But does Oscar really know when their loved one is going to ‘cross over?’  And if he does know, how does he know?  This is a remarkable, well-told story of a serious disease and those who work with those afflicted…especially the work of this amazing cat, Oscar.

If you know the families, friends or neighbors of someone living with Alzheimer's, you might want to google the "Alzheimer's Association" at alz.org.  There are educational and supportive professionals and resources available.  Sophee says:  "Don't isolate, reach out.  Support is there."