Play the Game

Play the Game is a deeply compassionate, personal account of author Terri Leedom's journey as a caregiver to her mother living with dementia. From the earliest signs of the disease to her mother's final decline, this memoir offers a candid look at the realities of a condition that erodes memory, but never love.

Leedom shares how she learned to play “the game of dementia” one day at a time, following her mother's lead and finding connection with her mother's new and ever-changing reality. She showed up each day with good humor and a willingness to meet her mother wherever she was in her mind.

Blending Leedom's honest storytelling with accounts of others who have faced similar experiences, Play the Game offers guidance for how caregivers can gain access to the mental world of their loved one with patience and empathy, and provides heartfelt insight into establishing new connections. It's a holistic approach for anyone embarking upon or already navigating this challenging path, including a checklist of common dementia symptoms, practical caregiving suggestions, and self-care tips for desperate times.

Terri Leedom is a retired graphic designer and an award-winning author and speaker. Her first book, My Silly Granny (2022), is a light-hearted children’s book inspired by her mother’s journey with dementia and has won three children’s book awards. Her second book, Play the Game, is written for adult caregivers and offers heartfelt insight, guidance, and shared experiences from those supporting loved ones through dementia.

Terri lives in West Des Moines, Iowa and enjoys spending time with her family and romping with her granddogs. She also enjoys crafting macramé, traveling, photography, music, and the Green Bay Packers. Terri is most inspired outdoors, connecting with nature.