Fortunately I have never had a family member develop Alzheimer's but after reading Ms. Geist's book I see that caregivers all have lots to deal with in caring for family members. I suffer from nerve damage I received in the U.S Army and while reading this book I saw what the people who care for me must have to deal with. I recommend this book for anyone who is suffering from a long term illness and those who care for them. ( )

Mary Ellen Geist left her broadcasting career to help her mother care for her father affected with Alzheimers disease. Beautifully written, this work gives a personal perspective on The 36 hour day, a classic on Alheimers care. While not avoiding the frustrations,the author focuses on the connections and joys of caregiving, the day to day working with what her father is now, and the memory of what he once was. ( )

A beautifully written book outlining the author's return home to help her mother take care of her father who is suffering from Alzheimers. While Geist loves her father and learns much about life and herself through being a caregiver, she also paints a realistic picture of the trials and strains involved in the process. As more of us find ourselves in the role of caregiver, this book will provide support as well as encouragement. ( )

October 2008 was my first time to make a request as a new Early Reviewer. I applied for quite a few because I didn't really expect to be picked and so many books interested me. However, when I did receive this particular book I was shocked. I thought I had avoided requesting it because it was about a daughter whose parent had Alzheimer's and I just didn't think I could handle the subject. You see, my mother had been diagnosed about eight months before and I wasn't ready to know "how the story ends."
So it took me about two months to make myself pick up "Measure of the Heart" and start reading it. The only reason I did was because I was obligated to write a review since I had received the book for free through the Early Book Reviewers. I am so thankful for taking that step.
Mary Ellen Geist is a very brave woman who left a high profile, well paying career to go home to be with her over-burdened mother and to spend the time she had left with her father who had Alzheimer's. What an incredible inspiration she is to anyone who has a family member with the challenge of this overwhelming disease. She writes in such a gentle," sisterly" manner as she openly shares her emotional ups and downs that you feel like you could call her and cry on her shoulder if you needed to. But the one thing she does not do is whine or play the martyr. She just tells it like it is and shares some very intimate moments along with some unique and cherished ones. What you are left with is a feeling that you were very blessed to have been allowed to enter the privacy of her family as they struggle, love, fight off the craziness, laugh, cry, love some more, and try to make every moment count. Thank you Mary Ellen for sharing with us in this intimate way through your book. ( )

This is a very sweet story about a father that has alzheimer's and his daughter that moves back home to help her mother care for her father. I believe that it would be a good book for someone that is caring for a person that has the disease. She gives a lot of very good information. I would have enjoyed the book more had it only been about the relationship with her father and not had all the other info in it. I don't want to take away from her story because it is a nice read but I just didn't enjoy the details about the alzheimer's. ( )