When Carrie Knowles and her siblings learned that their mother was suffering from Alzheimer's, they joined more than 50 million other Americans who are providing long-term care to an Alzheimer's victim in their family. In The Last Childhood, Knowles presents the first realistic voice on what it's like to be in this position. She speaks frankly about the emotional toll the disease can have on caregivers, explains what to expect as the disease progresses through its stages, illustrates through her own experience the numerous decisions families must make along the way, and provides information on such topics as:

• Understanding the symptoms of Alzheimer's
• Communicating effectively with the patient's doctor
• Deciding who in your family will be the primary caregiver
• Becoming a legal guardian for your ailing spouse or relative
• Choosing an assisted living center
• Letting go of negative feelings such as guilt and regret
• Taking care of the caregiver