LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Author Dixie F. Sellers shares a poignant memoir of her husband's battle with Alzheimer's disease and her struggle to care for him in her new book, "How Peggy Learned about Alzheimer's and Can Papa Ben Play Ball?" (now available through AuthorHouse).

The book addresses many sides of the pain of Alzheimer's disease, including the challenges faced by caretakers, adult children and young children. The stories are based on Sellers' true story, but the names of the characters have been changed to protect their privacy and characters were added to enhance educational benefits.

"How Peggy Learned about Alzheimer's" is based on Sellers' journal throughout her husband's illness. "Section 1: Home" focuses on the early stages of "Ben's" disease. His wife, Peggy, begins to notice his strange behavior, and the book outlines some of the early signs of the illness. After a doctor's test confirms that Ben is developing Alzheimer's, Peggy joins a support group as she assumes the role of caretaker. However, her caretaking duties begin to take their toll on her, and she realizes that long-term care options must be explored.

In "Section II: Assisted Living Facility," Sellers explains assisted living facilities and some of the common problems with them, including combativeness in the patient. Ben is hurt and hospitalized several times as a result of his behavior due to his illness. Peggy finally decides it is time to find more intensive care for her husband.

"Section III: Nursing Home Facility," focuses on the final stages of Ben's illness after Peggy places him in a nursing home facility. Through her regular evaluation meetings, Peggy watches Ben's health deteriorate quickly until he looks and acts as if he's "just existing." When he passes away, Peggy must make funeral arrangements and deal with the final loss.

The second story, "Can Papa Ben Play Ball?," is a children's story written to explain Alzheimer's to young children who may have questions about the disease affecting Grandma or Grandpa. Little Ed is Ben's great-grandson, and he doesn't understand the pain and challenges facing his family. Told in simple narration and illustrated with delicate drawings, the story provides a better understanding of Alzheimer's for children.

Born in Lexington, Ky., Sellers has lived in Kentucky all of her life. She attended the Fugazzi School of Business in Lexington as well as Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. She worked at financial banks for the majority of her career. Her son was born during her first marriage, which ended after 22 years. Nineteen years later she married Roy M. Sellers, whom she had known for 22 years. She currently lives in Louisville, Ky. "How Peggy Learned about Alzheimer's and Can Papa Ben Play Ball?" is her first book.

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