June 11, 2004

Author Sue Miller gives poignant reading

MGH employees, family caregivers and health care providers from the community gathered in the Walcott Conference Rooms May 18 to listen to local author Sue Miller read excerpts from her latest book, "The Story of My Father." Miller's book recounts her experience as a caregiver for her father who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Miller spoke about how she coped with the stress, her relationship with her siblings before, during and after the experience and what she would have done differently if she had to do it again. The event ended with a book signing at which a representative from the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Association was available to provide information about resources, support groups and educational programs for caregivers.

"I thought Sue Miller read with love, respect, insight and pain about her father and the experience of his illness. It was very powerful and comforting to caregivers in the group
who are dealing with this on a daily basis," said Nan Lawless, of the MGH Palliative Care Service, who attended the program.

The program was sponsored by the MGH Senior Health Family-Caregiver Support
program. The goal of the support program is to address the emotional, social and
resource needs of older adults and their family caregivers. Researchers and health care professionals are recognizing that the needs of caregivers must be addressed with
equal attention as those of the patients.