caregiving author biography

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R

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Born in Alexandria, Virginia, while his father was stationed at the
Pentagon, Heydon Buchanan grew up in Florida and Indiana. An army
veteran himself, he served overseas in northeastern Thailand in the Army
Security Agency. After service, he returned to college and graduated
from Indiana University. His final year at the university was spent in a
foreign studies program in Lima, Peru—his base for travel by land
through most of the South American countries. Returning to the U.S.,
he worked in the trades of typography and graphic design in New York
City and later in Los Angeles.
In early 1991, Heydon joined a higher calling by voluntarily committing
to be the primary caregiver for the finest person he’s ever known.
Without any caregiving or medical training, this loving son relocated to
Indianapolis to begin his commitment of the heart. His mother was
diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and this is the story of their lengthy
caregiving journey—a long road with perilous obstacles facing them, yet
one on which they maintained an abundance of love and a near-constant
flow of laughter. The experience was life-defining and enriched him
spiritually forever.
Following the caregiver period, Heydon worked in medical research on a
series of projects studying aging and memory, telemedicine for nursing
home care, and early intervention and treatment for dementia patients
and support for their caregivers. He resigned from the research work in
2004 because of a lingering and compelling need to tell his caregiving
story and help other family caregivers. That led to the writing of this
book.
Heydon has spoken to college students en route to becoming social
workers and also speaks for the Alzheimer’s Association. He has also
written articles published in the Indianapolis Star on his caregiving
journey. An avid organic gardener, he makes great salsa and is an
enthusiast of Step Aerobics and Spinning. He and his wife, Nancy, live
in Indianapolis.