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by Glenna Hecht (Author)
How Old Are You Today?
Dementia, A Mother, A Daughter, and the Game That Transformed Their Lives
by Glenna Hecht
What if dementia didn't mean the end of connection... but the beginning of something deeper?
When Glenna Hecht's fiercely independent, whip-smart mother began slipping into the fog of dementia, their relationship changed overnight. So did Glenna's life. What followed was a raw, often heartbreaking journey of caregiving, grief, love, and surrender-filled with challenges no one prepares you for, and moments of unexpected joy.
How Old Are You Today? is a dementia love story-and a game that changed everything.
When dementia entered their world, Glenna didn't feel prepared. There was no manual for how to relate to a parent who no longer lived in linear time. Certifications, books, and support groups gave her information-but not connection.
Then one day, Glenna asked her mom a question:
"How old are you?"
Her mother smiled and replied, "Guess."
That unexpected moment became the spark for a new kind of connection. What started as a simple exchange turned into a daily ritual-a game they called How Old Are You Today?
It opened doors to memory, sparked stories, and became a bridge between the past and the present. And over time, it transformed everything.
Told with brutal honesty, sharp wit, and a deep well of compassion, this isn't a medical guide. It's a daughter's story-a front-row account of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with watching someone you love disappear piece by piece, and learning how to love them differently, fiercely, and fully.
Inside You'll Discover:
- The "How Old Are You Today?" game - the one surprising question that opened doors to memory, laughter, and reconnection
- The Art of the Game - what it really looks like to keep showing up, even when dementia shifts the rules day by day
- The Rules of the Game - simple mechanics, real tips, and a roadmap for finding joy in the middle of the fog
- My journey through dementia - the messy, beautiful, heartbreaking truth - so you know you are not walking this path alone
This is not a story of triumph in the traditional sense. It's about showing up. Falling apart. Coming back. It's about letting go of who someone was and finding new ways to love who they are now.
For anyone navigating the complex realities of dementia-whether you're an adult child suddenly in the role of caregiver, a family member searching for connection, or someone supporting a parent with dementia-How Old Are You Today? is a companion, a mirror, and a source of comfort. It won't tidy the hard parts. It will give you language, a ritual, and proof that even in the hardest moments, connection is still possible.
