“Taking Care of Mom: A Caregiver Resource Guide” by Rev. Dr. Tyrone W. Waters, D.D., F.H.L.C.A. was written from the most intimate place a book can come from—family. Rooted in the lessons passed down through his own household, the guide reflects what he was taught about responsibility, compassion, and manhood: that caring for one’s mother is both an honor and a calling. Those values, embodied by his mother, Avel Gordly, shape every page of this practical yet deeply human resource for caregivers.
At its core, the book speaks directly to families facing Alzheimer’s and related dementias—conditions that ripple far beyond one diagnosis. Rev. Dr. Waters acknowledges that no two caregiving journeys look the same. Each loved one responds differently; each family must find its own rhythm of coping, patience, and hope. With clarity and grace, the guide reframes Alzheimer’s not only as a clinical challenge but as a test of dignity—one that caregivers can meet with understanding, preparation, and love.
Readers are gently guided through recognizing early warning signs and navigating difficult behaviors with empathy. Thought-provoking questions, paired with real-world examples and suggested responses, help caregivers feel less alone and more equipped. While the book never replaces professional diagnosis, it strongly encourages early medical evaluation—because timing matters, and so does hope. More than instruction, these pages offer reassurance: even when memory fades, humanity does not have to.
The final chapters—and now, the living legacy of this book—carry a deeper weight. Avel Louise Gordly (1947–2026), the woman who inspired “Taking Care of Mom,” has recently passed away. A former Oregon legislator, educator, author, and tireless mentor, she devoted her life to uplifting others—especially emerging Black leaders, students, and women she lovingly nurtured as “Mama Avel.” Even in retirement, her service continued through teaching, advocacy, and the scholarship that bears her name.
In her final years, Avel shared quiet mornings, healing conversations, and prayer with her son Tyrone. Those moments—tender, ordinary, sacred—became the emotional backbone of this book. What was once a guide written for his mother has become a tribute to her: a testimony that caregiving is not only about managing decline, but about honoring a life, a voice, and a legacy of impact.
Purchasing “Taking Care of Mom: A Caregiver Resource Guide” is more than acquiring a helpful book—it is an act of support. Proceeds and donations connected to this work help extend Avel Gordly’s lifelong mission of care,
education, and community uplift. By getting a copy, readers stand with families walking the Alzheimer’s journey, honor the memory of an extraordinary woman, and help ensure that love, dignity, and connection continue to prevail—long after the final page is turned.
“Taking Care of Mom: A Caregiver Resource Guide” by Rev. Dr. Tyrone W. Waters, D.D., F.H.L.C.A. is available through: