Book Review: Creating Moments of Joy, by Jolene Brackey
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is an experience filled with challenges, but as Jolene Brackey beautifully illustrates in Creating Moments of Joy, it is also a journey of wisdom, love, and even unexpected joy. This book is an essential read for caregivers, family members of those with memory issues, and anyone who fears facing this disease in their own life. It is both deeply practical and profoundly inspirational, providing a roadmap for creating meaningful moments despite the difficulties of cognitive decline.
Brackey’s approach is unique in its simplicity and wisdom. She does not offer a cure, nor does she present a rigid set of instructions for handling Alzheimer’s. Instead, she presents a philosophy—one that acknowledges the hardships while encouraging readers to embrace moments of joy, no matter how fleeting. The book is structured around different types of moments:
- Defining Moments – Recognizing the early signs and understanding when it’s time to make critical decisions.
- Family Moments – Addressing the strain caregiving places on families and how loved ones can support each other.
- Challenging Moments – Offering strategies to make the caregiver’s journey lighter, acknowledging that no one chooses this path.
- Transitioning Moments – Teaching ways to sustain and trigger memories as the disease progresses.
- Enhanced Moments – Finding opportunities to improve even the smallest interactions.
- Final Moments – Encouraging caregivers to grow spiritually and cherish the wisdom gained along the way.
What sets this book apart from other works on dementia care is its heart-centered approach. Brackey reminds us that while Alzheimer’s strips away memories, it does not strip away the ability to feel. A moment of laughter, the comfort of a familiar touch, or the sound of a loved one’s voice can leave an imprint that lasts even when memory fades. She encourages caregivers to focus on now, because for someone with memory loss, the present moment is all that exists.
Brackey does not shy away from the realities of the disease, but she reframes them in a way that empowers caregivers rather than overwhelming them. She shares over 100 practical strategies, each designed to make caregiving more effective and fulfilling. These range from using personal history to engage loved ones in meaningful ways to understanding the emotional needs of those with dementia. She emphasizes that mistakes will happen but encourages caregivers to see them as learning opportunities rather than failures.
One particularly moving story in the book highlights Brackey’s message about creating joy in the moment. She tells of a man with Alzheimer’s who had been an avid fly fisherman. Though his cognitive abilities had declined, his muscle memory and love for fishing remained. A simple act—handing him a fishing pole—triggered a moment of recognition and joy. He pantomimed casting a line, tying a knot, and reliving his favorite pastime. That moment was not just for him; it was a gift to everyone around him, a reminder that joy is still possible even in the midst of loss.
This book is also an invaluable resource for those who are concerned about the emotional toll caregiving takes. Brackey emphasizes that caregivers need support and grace. She urges families to work together, to relieve each other when needed, and to acknowledge that caregiving is not just an act of duty but an act of love. This section will resonate deeply with those who have watched a spouse, sibling, or parent take on the primary caregiver role, helping them understand the need for compassion and assistance.
One of the most profound insights in the book is that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is not just about helping them – it is also about discovering who we are in the process.
This journey forces us to slow down, to let go of control, to become more patient and present. It teaches us to value each moment rather than dwell on what is lost. It is a lesson in humanity, in love without expectation, and in embracing life in its rawest form.
Brackey’s voice is filled with warmth, humor, and an unwavering belief in the power of love. She reminds us that while Alzheimer’s is a long goodbye, it is also an invitation—to connect deeply, to cherish what remains, and to let go of what we cannot change. Her wisdom offers a profound shift in perspective: rather than focusing on what is gone, we can focus on what remains.
For anyone facing the realities of Alzheimer’s, whether as a caregiver, a family member, or someone fearing their own cognitive decline, Creating Moments of Joy is an essential read. It is more than a book – it is a guide, a source of comfort, and a reminder that even in the face of loss, we can still find beauty. In the end, the greatest lesson this book offers is that those with Alzheimer’s teach us how to live—not in the past, not in the future, but fully in the present moment. And in that presence, we find 
not just sorrow, but profound, lasting joy.
RELATED RESOURCES:
- Creating Moments of Joy, by Jolene Brackey
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