How to Care for Aging Parents [Paperback]

Virginia Morris (Author), Robert M. Butler (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2004

The best and bestselling book of its kind. Originally published in 1995, How To Care For Aging Parents, won a Books for a Better Life Award, and was praised as "an indispensable book" (AARP) and "a compassionate guide of encyclopaedic proportion" (The Washington Post). It also catapulted its author, Virginia Morris, to national prominence as a recognized eldercare authority on Oprah, Good Morning America, CNN, CBS, and other media. Nine years later, and the need for the book is mushrooming. Virginia Morris responds with a completely revised, up-to-date new edition. Expanded from 450 to over 650 pages, it covers all the emotional, legal, financial, medical, and logistical issues in caring for the elderly. There are new sections on expanded housing options, alternative therapies, balancing career and care giving, and dealing with difficult parents. It covers the biggest change in care giving - the newfound independence of seniors and benefits of healthy aging-and the reverse: Three chapters are dedicated to caring for parents with Alzheimers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A compassionate guide of encyclopedic proportion."
—The Washington Post (The Washington Post)

"This guide, aimed at the "Sandwich Generation," provides a road map to assist adult children in caring for their aging parents. Combining personal experience with expertise in healthcare and social and political issues, Morris has produced a thoroughly researched, well-organized, and comprehensive manual. Chapters follow in logical progression, yet they can stand alone and be read on an "as-needed" basis. The topics covered include the concrete, practical areas such as home care, finances, nursing homes/hospitals, legal issues, and medical/safety concerns as well as the psychosocial areas of handling emotions, dealing with death and dying, sibling conflicts, and spiritual needs. In her discussions, Morris adds useful details such as a suggested list of things to pack for the hospital. Support for the caregiver as well as to the elderly person is covered. Sprinkled throughout the text are agencies, phone numbers, and other reference information."
(Library Journal)

Review

"A work of great value, written with sensitivity and wisdom...It fulfills an obvious need better than anything I've seen."
—Sherwin B. Nuland, M.D.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 691 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; Revised & Enlarged edition (October 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761134263
• ISBN-13: 978-0761134268
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.5 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Aging Parents
  • #13 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gerontology
  • #28 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Parent & Adult Child

More About the Author

An award-winning journalist, Virginia Morris has devoted her career to researching and writing about health care, medical research and related social and political issues for the last 25 years. She is the author of How to Care for Aging Parents, which won the Books for a Better Life Award and instantly became the best-selling book on the subject when it was first released in 1986. An updated and expanded edition was published in 2004. She is also the author of Talking About Death, which came out in paperback in 2004. Virginia has been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Morning Show, Primetime, NPR, CNN, and a host of other national media. She also appeared before Congress, testifying before the bicameral Joint Economic Committee in 2007. She now lectures around the country on both subjects. She lives with her husband and two children in the New York area.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Caring and Empowering August 30, 2005

By W. Murray

Format:Paperback

I just had to give a review when I stumbled across this at Amazon. My father went from being healthy and independent to just the opposite in one day (from a fall- then into hospital, caught an infection and went downhill from there.)There was a TON of things to figure out from medicare to power of attorney, where to place him, what to expect etc.... This book is written with such kindness and is full of information that is invaluable. At least for me, it was exactly what I needed. And if you're going through this, I wish you all the best.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars got parents? get this book December 29, 2004

By TRay

Format:Paperback

As we venture into this new and unknown territory - taking care to those whom we always depended on to take care of us - this is the first, second and only book you need. In a gentle and humorous way, Ms. Morris guides you through all of the aspects of this unknown road including the medical, legal, mental, physical, etc. Maybe my favorite chapter is the one in which Ms. Morris insists that you make sure of taking care of yourself first. I saw Ms. Morris on "Oprah" and bought the book for my "first parent". Now the book comes out "bigger, better, and improved" for my second parent. Strange to think that a book can be such a gift to our real lives. I can not recommend this book more strongly.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Beginner's Book! October 17, 2005

By J. Bechard

Format:Paperback

I picked this up to learn how I could help my mother take care of her father and found it extremely helpful. It is written in clear, understandable language, with several personal accounts scattered throughout, as well as information on where to go for more help. And you WILL need more help - but this book does a great job of pointing you in the right direction. It makes a very complex problem seem manageable. There are at least 50 pages at the back of the book that provide contact information on elder care agencies, geriactric care managers, elder care lawyers, etc.