We Keep Our Potato Chips in the Refrigerator: A Memoir of an Alzheimer’s Victim

Alzheimer's disease affects millions worldwide, and this figure is compounded by all the involved caregivers, relatives, and friends of those who are afflicted. This touching memoir is about one man, Fred Thompson, who fell victim to this disease, and the reflections of his wife and caregiver, Patricia Cox who learned from daily experience how dilibilating this cruel malady can be. This honest exposure of successes and failures is intended to convey there is no set formula for dealing with dementia, but there is hope available for those who think they are alone in this quest. These candid stories are filled with some humor and profound sadness; some successes and many failures, but with great love and respect for the man Patricia married and the man he eventually became.

According to a recent statistic from the Associated Press, ＂More than 35 million people around the world are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia...Barring a medical breakthrough, the World Alzheimer Report will nearly double in 20 years.＂ These are staggering figures.

＂We Keep Our Potato Chips in the Refrigerator＂ is a touching memoir about Fred Thompson who endured this devastating disease and the reflections of his wife and caregiver, Patricia Cox, who learned through day by day experience how debilitating this cruel malady can be, The purpose of this book is to let other caregivers, as well as relatives and friends of the Alzheimer sufferers, know they are not alone in their dire situations. Patricia shares candid stories with humor mingled with profound sadness.

Patricia, mother of 3 daughters and grandmother of 11 blessings, is a former teacher for the Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creel School District. She earned her Masters degree in Giudance and Counseling and is currently teaching memoir writing classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for the University of Denver and The Academy for Lifelong Learning. The reader may expect a few chuckles as well as a few tears from this honest exposure to living with a victim of Alzheimer’s.