Making Rounds with Oscar

Making Rounds with Oscar
By David Dosa, M.D.
Hyperion, 2010. 225 pgs. Non-fiction

"Why can't you do this anymore? A child could do it." "The difference is that a child is learning. A patient with Alzheimer's is...unlearning."

Dementia/Alzheimer's is relentlessly destructive to patients and their loved ones. Dealing with dementia brings us unwillingly into an uncomfortable, unknown dimension. Luckily for patients living on the 3rd floor of Steere House, a nursing facility housing for dementia/Alzheimer's patients, Oscar lives there too. Oscar is an "ordinary cat with an extraordinary gift", the gift of compassion. He knows when patients are about to die and curls up with them, offering purring comfort. Sometimes he is the only one in the room. His presence also seems to offer comfort when family members are present. Much of this book, written by former Oscar gift nonbeliever, Dr. David Dosa M.D., is based on interviews from actual "Oscar visited" family members who willingly share their ordeals with Alzheimer's and Oscar's unique gift. It is a sweet, clean, quick read. Making Rounds with Oscar" is NOT just for animal lovers, but is for anyone who is dealing with, knows someone who is dealing with or someday will deal with this dreaded disease.

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