How to Care for Aging Parents, 3rd Edition: A One-Stop Resource for All Your Medical, Financial, Housing, and Emotional Issues

Unlike many books I considered, this one had a more honoring tone toward parents and did not talk down to the elderly or suggest one's parents were somehow becoming one's children. This helped shape the way I will process and interpret events related to caring for parents. While it is not a Christian book, it is a very Christian-friendly resource in that it seeks to help the reader appreciate their aging loved one, and not resent them. I'd add a bit of caution about some of the self-help sections which may or may not align with the Bible, but that's a minor aspect of the book. The book is also very thorough and well-researched. Would be a helpful gift for a pastor or a friend in this life season. I learned so much and actively recommend this resource to others.

This was the second one of these books I have purchased. I read the first one from cover to cover. It is a great book for any person caring for a loved one. The resources are great. The way everything you could possibly need help with is right in the book with many different scenarios on how to help your loved one. I bought the second one for a friend and she is still thanking me everytime I see her. Buy the book. You will not regret it.

I have bought this book for at least 6 other friends. It covers every possible helpful thing you could imagine, from safety tips for your parent's home to going with them to the doctor, being their advocate when they can't keep all the facts straight. And throughout the book, the caregiver is encouraged to take care of themselves, to not get discouraged, to guard against the depression and anxiety that all of this causes. It is a serious thing to care for a parents and it is not easy. The lovely 'circle of life' is a nice idea, but in reality---yes, they did care for us as babies and now they need our help---but they aren't babies and they don't want to have to need help at all. They just want their life to go on as before, with their independence and autonomy. So we must anticipate their needs, be there to help, and recognize when we need to get outside help, because we just cannot do it all, and maintain our own lives, jobs and families as well as theirs. This book was an invaluable tool and resource for me. It's easy to read, look up just the topic you need at the time, in the table of contents or index, ---it does not require that you read it from cover to cover to get a lot out of it.

All the facts, all in one place. Addresses some of the hardest issues. Loved the real life stories from people in the situation. Great suggestions for how to lovingly make changes necessary to keep parents safe. Good advice for self care as well. Great compromise suggestions for when all are not on the same page.

I suggest everybody read this no later than when their parents reach the age of 60. Assisting and caring for aging parents equals the challenge of raising children and sometimes extends for as many years. It is best to have a good overview before the need arises. Then you'll want to refer back to various chapter of the book (or perhaps a subsequent edition of it) as your parents' needs evolve. The strengths of this book are: Its breadth and depth of clearly presented information; the many quoted reflections by adult children caregivers, which are illuminating and touching; and the annotated links. I was disappointed about the lack of specifics on changing the diaper of a bedridden adult and strategies for safely moving an elder who is weak and unsteady on his/her feet. I also thought the frequent mention of "spending down" to achieve Medicaid eligibility should have more often been accompanied by warnings about the risks of long waits and sometimes poor services by providers that accept Medicaid reimbursement. Nevertheless I highly recommend this book.

In depth and knowledgeable

Love this book. It’s been my bible for seven years and going as I’m a caregiver to my Dad.

This book is a comprehensive guide to helping those of us in the sandwich generation (or even those not juggling raising children and caring for aging parents) to think through the many legal, physical, emotional, spiritual, and medical issues that may arise. Lots of great information, well organized and easy to navigate, with practical steps and resources. My brothers and I all bought a copy and refer to it often as we seek to care for our mother in the best possible way. This would also be a good resource for parents to look through as they reach retirement age to help ease the burden on their children and families.

Very good book but remember it is an American book. A lot of the resources don’t exist here. But the day to day dealing with elderly/disabled/dementia relatives is excellent.

excellent handbook empathetically written. USA based but generic enough to set you on a path elsewhere.

Just the job