The Alzheimer's Diaries

Description

‘A third presence has arrived in my marriage. Ms Alzheimer’s – I think of her as a hideous, brain-eating monster – has come to live with us. Permanently.’ 

In April 2017, Susan’s husband Nicholas was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This was followed by 28 months of relentless, rapid decline culminating in Nicholas’ death in August 2019.

The Alzheimer’s Diaries (originally published as a blog) charts the progression of his illness, from diagnosis to the funeral. Susan dubbed the illness ‘Ms Alzheimer’s’ and describes the hateful impact on the man she loves.

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK one person in 14 over the age of 65 has dementia, and in this thought-provoking account, Susan unflinchingly shares her story.

Susan Elkin is an author, journalist, theatre critic and former teacher. She has written extensively for most of the national dailies, many magazines and has over 50 books to her name. She wrote Education Notebook in Daily Mail for eleven years and was Education Editor at The Stage until 2016. Her teaching memoir Please Miss We’re Boys was published by the Book Guild in 2019. She lives in south London.