Aging Parents, Aging Children

Reviews / Votes

Aging Parents, Aging Children: How to Stay Sane and Survive covers a too little researched national health care dilemma- caring for the caregiver of aging parents. This public health crisis is really similar to the era when the US had nation wide smallpox epidemics and no research or cure. Aronson and Weiner's book both identifies the problem boomers endure every day struggling to care for their a progressively disabled parents and offers an immunization of sorts -how to stay sane and survive. Family caregivers offer $200 billion dollars a year in unpaid care, yet unrecognized at the federal level. For this filial grace they reap a miserable toll in depression, stress, anxiety, divorce job loss and bodily illness. This book gives these heroic caregivers prescriptions to avoid this physical and mental toll, while offering their aging family members the care they so badly need. It is a win- win book and exactly at the right time. -- Cathy Cress, MSW, author of <I>Handbook of Geriatric Care Management<I> An extraordinary book that offers a one stop shop for all the information you need about the golden years for the elderly as well as the family members and caretakers. Outstanding information that will enable the readers to avoid many pitfalls of aging. -- Patricia Pitta, Ph.D I enthusiastically recommend this book for both families and professionals. Aging Parents, Aging Children is a great read full of meaty examples, slices of real life from an array of family and caregiving situations, which are not only inherently interesting and fun to read but also help guide families and professionals alike who are grappling with challenging issues. Thanks to the authors' decades of experience, this book provides a painless way to gain insights to help with one's own life, as well as some detailed practical ideas for "what to do and how to do it". -- Nancy B. Emerson Lombardo, Ph.D., adjunct tesearch assistant professor of neurology, Boston University School of Medicine This age of rapid advancement in technology has afforded us an amazing improvement in our overall health. We have watched our lifespan improve from the average of 45 years of age in the 19th century to well over 76 in the 21st century. Most of us, in fact the majority of us, enjoy good health. With these miracle advances in health care, however, come the unforeseen byproducts; chronic disease and Dementia. Dementia, the decline in cognitive ability, while present since early recorded history confounds countless numbers of families today with this burden as the ranks of our seniors continue to increase. Chronic illness follows close behind.

This 'guidebook' by Drs. Aronson and Weiner is an invaluable resource to families who are under the yoke of these diseases. For it's not just the individual burdened with illness, but family members at all levels who find themselves in the role of caregivers who must deal 24/7 with incurable afflictions.

This edition walks you through the entire spectrum of these processes. From diagnosis to treatment, home care, and long term care facilities. It covers a spectrum of chronic diseases and provides information about some of the most common dilemmas. Specific resources for funding from government to private sources are discussed and a glossary of terms is provided to help you comprehend the complex issues that doctors, nurses, and social workers discuss with you. Specific cases are provided for you that almost invariably describe your situation and help you to develop an approach and find the resources to deal with it.

The psychosocial issues and complexity of family dynamics are also discussed at length. A self help guide discusses the emotional problems you have experienced while caring for your loved one and helps you to gain perspective and strength to continue to provide love and support.

As Thoreau said, 'It is the practical solutions to the problems of life that we need to find,' and this guide is the GPS navigation system for dementia and other chronic illnes -- Edwin C. Weiss, M.D., clinical assistant professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine Aging Parents, Aging Children by Drs. Aronson and Weiner is unique in that although the primary perspective on the problems, solutions and dilemmas in caring for our elder family members is through the eyes of their middle-aged children, this is definitely a 'now' book for readers of every generation. Many in my profession concur that our society is weak in manifesting and modeling respect, compassion and empathy. Drawing on a wealth of experiences, the authors present example after example of challenging situations that are met with humor and creative coping skills. I unequivocally suggest that you read this book (regardless of your current family responsibilities and burdens) and then casually leave it out in the living room for the rest of your family to experience and learn from. -- Lee Robbins Gardner, M.D., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons This book is the handbook/guide for every professional, one you cannot do without. It is well researched, well documented and reads smoothly. Easy to use, it should be in your office bookcase and suggested to all who seek you out. * Independent Practitioner * This book is the guide for professionals and laypersons alike, one you cannot do without if you are dealing with elder care on any level. * The Family Psychologist * Aging Parents, Aging Children, is an excellent resource for individuals facing the challenge of caring for their aging parents....This is an especially informative guide for caregivers and professionals working with caregivers....It deals with the emotional and financial aspect of caregiving from both perspectives....The book can be useful to anyone giving and receiving care. * Educational Gerontology *