Dementia Man tells the story of Sam Simon as he moves from early memory lapses to a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and then early-stage Alzheimer’s. He shares vivid scenes from his life. He brings the reader into the raw moments of confusion, fear, stubborn hope, and even humor as he and his wife, Susan, navigate a medical system that often leaves people like him stranded. The book blends memoir, social critique, and a call for change. It follows Sam’s love story, his activist past, his moments inside what he calls The Nothingness Place, and his determination to choose life for as long as he can.

This is an emotional memoir. The writing feels close to the skin, almost like Sam is talking straight at me from across a kitchen table. His descriptions are sharp and strange at the same time. I kept pausing because the images stayed with me. His voice has this mix of clarity and fog that mirrors the disease he is trying to explain. Some passages made me laugh because he can be blunt and warm in the same breath. He shows how lonely and scary cognitive decline can be when the world does not know how to help. What struck me most was how he refused to let fear become the whole story.

He questions the medical system in a way that feels earned, not angry for the sake of it. He wants navigators for people with cognitive disorders. He wants society to change the way we talk about brain diseases. He wants families to have real support. His push for dignity feels bold and simple at the same time. The honesty about his own confusion and frustration gave the book a heartbeat. It is not a tidy narrative, and that is exactly what makes it feel real.

I would recommend this book to caregivers, medical professionals, families who are beginning this journey, and anyone who wants to understand what cognitive decline feels like from the inside. It is also a strong read for advocates and students in health fields who need to hear a patient’s voice in full color. Above all, it is for readers who want a story about choosing life even when life gets hard.

Pages: 209 | ASIN : B0G1TZRVXL