New Book Available Through Flying Solo
Question: When my husband and I separated after nearly 35 years of marriage, I moved in with my mother - then 78 -- because my husband would not support me. He starved me into submission and, when I was unable to pay any more attorneys fees, I settled for next to nothing just to get it over with. His lawyer was his brother who did not charge him. I thought that divorce at age 60 was the worst experience of my life - that is until my mother, who had been afflicted with dementia, suffered a stroke. I can tell you that caring for an aging parent is exhausting, stressful, and aggravating. In addition to the heavy physical labor and the inability to sleep which are ruining my health, I am finding myself having to deal with guilt, resentment, and grief every day. And because I am not getting any help from my brother and sister, our relationships are very strained. I do not have the money to hire people to help me, and I do not want any more lawyers. I have been successful in finding some helpful people locally and on the Internet where I stumbled across your website and thought I would write you to see if you have any suggestions for me and others like me.
Answer: Today, family members provide an estimated $300 billion in free care to chronically ill and disabled loved ones each year. Both caregiver and care recipient must face and deal with tough medical, legal, financial, emotional, and psychological issues. And more and more Americans are learning that , caregivers and care recipients have needs that can not be brushed off with a "don't worry, things will get better" - because they won't. Although there are a number of resources out there, in our opinion, none is better than Virginia Morris' "How To Care For Aging Parents: A Complete Guide," an understandable road map to help adult children care for their aging parents. This comprehensive 480 page book was thoroughly researched and is well-organized. Full of useful details, tips, and resources, the chapters follow in logical sequence, but can stand alone and be read on an "as needed" basis. Topics include home care, finances, nursing homes and hospitals, legal issues, medical and safety concerns, the normal aging of the brain and coping with dementia, the psychological areas of handling emotions, dealing with death and dying, sibling conflicts, spiritual needs, and much more.
This book covers support for both the caregiver and elderly person, and recognizes that caring for an elderly parent is difficult for both parent - who may not be accustomed to being a dependent - and adult child - who is often frustrated by this overwhelming new task and feeling guilty because he or she can't do more.
Through a special arrangement with the publisher, readers of Flying Solo can receive this excellent 480 page book for $17.95 including shipping and handling. Simply send check payable to "Aging Parents" to Flying Solo at P. O. Box 11704, Columbia, South Carolina 29211 or call 1-800-635-3379 and use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Visa card and we'll make sure you get your copy.
© 1997, Flying Solo®
