A few months after their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Helene Berger’s husband, Ady, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

When he got the news from the doctor, he responded, “I don’t want to live anymore.” From that moment on, Helene faced her husband’s diagnosis with a fierce determination to find creative ways to make their lives as fulfilling as possible, for as long as possible. She chronicles this journey in her touching new book, CHOOSING JOY: ALZHEIMER’S: A Book of HOPE.

Most books about Alzheimer’s describe a process of irreversible degeneration and decline. This is a rare success story — the story of a woman who refused to surrender to the implications of her husband’s diagnosis, instead inspiring him to join her in making every moment they had together meaningful and precious. 

By developing a solid foundation of constant mental stimulation and emotional support, Helene built the scaffolding that gave Ady the best chance for positive outcomes — physically, emotionally, and socially. In Ady’s final years he again became known for his radiant smile, greeting friends by name, returning to the piano, playing chess, even drawing and writing nightly notes. 

Helene Berger has held major positions of leadership throughout her life, in her home community of Miami and nationally.  In each of these roles, she has spoken throughout the country, marshalling help for large and diverse groups of people with a wide array of needs. She is recognized as a powerful and inspirational speaker.