Forever Family: How to Care for Aging Parents and You

Although many people assume that aging parents automatically go to a nursing home when functional losses create the need for care, the reality is that 80% of older Americans will receive care from their families. As How to Care for Aging Parents and You, the first volume in a 3-tape series, points out, the caregiving experience is often emotionally and physically draining both for the aging parents and their adult offspring. The former often resent and grieve over the loss of abilities and their home (if required to move), while the latter equally resent juggling jobs, their own families, and the responsibility of caregiving. Under these conditions, it's not uncommon for feelings of guilt, depression, and anger to fester, creating an unhealthy environment for all family members. Family issues expert Steve Edwards raises a number of these red warning flags in this informative guide, cautionary pointers which--if heeded--will lessen or avoid some of the common friction areas. Becoming educated, being honest, seeking professional help when its needed, these are just a few of the areas covered in this straightforward, practical guide. The other two titles in the series are How to Provide Care at Home and How to Access Community Resources. My only quibble was with the awkward Q&A format subject transition sections--the interviewee is clearly reading cue cards. Otherwise, the good information and excellent price make this a very fine choice for public library and medical collections. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)