Oakmont of Concord Resident’s Partner Writes Book About Caregiving Experience
September 24, 2019
WINDSOR. CA–Dr. Nina Krebs tried not to write her book, Shades of Love and Loss, for two years.
“It was incredibly painful to write. I did not want to experience those feelings again. But I also wanted to clarify for myself why I got upset,” said Krebs.
Shades of Love and Loss is the story of one woman’s journey through the shifting roles and responsibilities she faces as an intractable, irreversible disease slowly dims her husband’s intellect, persona and athletic grace.
“The book is designed to give hope to spouses caring for their loved ones with dementia. It is a great love story, a primer on dementia, and a self-help book all in one,” said Pam Campbell, marketing director at Oakmont of Concord.
The senior living community will host an open house on September 25 from 5 – 7 p.m. where Krebs will have a book signing for Shades of Love and Loss: Caring for a Partner with Dementia. Attendees may buy a book from Krebs at the event and have it signed. The book also is available on amazon.com
Krebs, a retired psychologist and mother, has been married for nearly 50 years. After retirement in 1998, she followed her dreams—as a visual artist, writer and music devotee—until her husband began his journey into the lost land of Alzheimer’s. As her world tilted, she intensified her search for meaning. Nina lives close to her remarkable family in the East Bay area of San Francisco.
The event also will celebrate Oakmont of Concord’s third year as a premier assisted living and memory care community. Eric Portnoff, vice president of memory care and resident programs, will speak about communicating with loved ones who have been diagnosed with dementia.
Portnoff is responsible for ensuring that Oakmont’s memory care programs are progressive, innovative and industry-leading. Before joining Oakmont, Portnoff helped a young, Chinese assisted living company open some of the first memory care environments in China and established a certification program there to teach The Validation Method®. Portnoff has been interested in helping people living with cognitive impairment since he volunteered in a special education class at his elementary school. After college, he worked with people with developmental disabilities and mental illness in community residential settings, eventually becoming a non-profit executive director.
Oakmont of Concord is just one of Oakmont Senior Living’s communities providing customized services in luxurious, resort-style settings with five-star amenities and professionally trained, compassionate team members to meet the unique needs of each resident. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Oakmont Senior Living is a recognized leader in the retirement industry.
