Customer Reviews

The Complete Eldercare Planner, Revised and Updated Edition: Where to Start, Which Questions to Ask, and How to Find Help

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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The Complete Eldercare Planner by Joy Loverde is an amazing combination of practical information, and informed guidance on how to negotiate the challenges of personal aging, and aging relatives. I have worked in the health promotion and aging field for over 35 years and have seldom seen this much information in one place on any topic. It is well organized, easy to understand, and honest about the realities of the difficulties of aging in our culture. I cannot think of any major question faced by those involved in this part of the life cycle that is not included in the book. The inclusion of many checklists, and other resource lists will simply the process of decision making every step of the way. My advice to those with questions about Eldercare is to buy this book, use it, and share it with those in your immediate family. You will be in a better position to handle the complex situations that emerge as you navigate this part of your family life cycle.

A note from the author... I hope you find this review helpful...


Recently I found myself along with 3 other siblings and spouses thrust into new uncharted waters in a totally new season of our lives. Suddenly and without any training we were and continue to this day having to take care of my aging parents. I for one will freely admit that as a child I was never trained, prepared, nor exceptionally gifted to undertake such a task. It is just not the type of thing that you can ever really get to a line and say ready...set...go...and do it very well. Elderly health care in 2005 does not always afford us the luxury of any long preparation either emotionally or financially.

Suddenly unmercifully and usually without warning you hear over the phone in the midst of a busy American routine those words you dread. It's Cancer, a stroke, or replacement surgery, just minor or major operations which means weeks of homecare and hospitalization's, etc., You are suddenly no longer swinging a few bats warming up in the on deck circle there in safety at a bit of distance. But you find yourself thrust into the batters box. You are no longer the stand by just in case fill in player who dressed for the game just in case you would or might be needed. But suddenly with a phone call, you find yourself thrust without any prior warning into the batters box. You are to take charge with 3 others voices and votes, your parents primary healthcare.

Now, if you call a frantic call for "HELP" in the middle of the night when just the week before things were okay a warning, well then, you're doing better than we were. You find yourself suddenly up at the plate with bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth your teams behind 3 runs. To top it off you're facing a 94mph fastball pitcher who also throws a mean slider called the reality of life. You have never been good at hitting these kinds of pitches. Much less being the homerun hitter the team needs at this moment and are all looking to you now for. Then you hear through your wife there is a book available on just such a thing. It allows you to calmly and logically check out all of your options. It tells you in simple language just how you go about walking through this difficult mine field you've been thrust into without training or any real prior warning. It tells you how to do this without losing your mind, your family unity, and most of all your parents dignity.

I found myself literally reading the pages of Joy's, "Elder Care" wonderful "How TO" book on the plane going headed to Florida. I was then going there for my Dad's 80th B-day party as well as a visit to help out for 10 days at my elderly parents. Little did I know then, that I would see those 10 days turn suddenly into 46 long and hectic days I ended up spending there. Little did I realize as I paged through this how to book on Elderly Care that it would be like a daily Bible to me. I was literally reading a chapter ahead of the events as they unfolded in the next days. It was giving me the answers to question I had not yet asked, but found myself doing so in the next days to follow.

As a former Eagle Scout, USMC SGT., Police Officer, Business owner, 20 years as a Lay Minister and being Happily Married to the same woman for over 26 years now, I'd received lots and lots of great training. Even you will have to admit that this background covers a lot of diversified and really good training. But nothing, absolutely nothing, but my Faith prepared me emotionally, physically, or all of us financially for the events that would suddenly and totally unwelcomed show up in the middle of the night. They just seem to attack you without ceasing on these issues when it's "Your Mom or Dad."

Thank you Joy, for the time it must have taken you and the wealth of information this book contains. I personally know that it was truly a Godsend at a time of crisis in our lives. It still today continues to guide us along these slippery slopes. But because of this well timed work of Mercy and Grace, we have maintained as a family, and continued to allow my parents their Dignity and somewhat their independence. I believe this book will help answer the question of the heart on elderly care and give you practical and timely information to steer you to through the minefields of elderly care life. You should have a copy on the shelf in your own homes and be reading it now, if your parents are near or reaching retirement age.

We waited and it caught us totally by surprise. But it didn't catch Joy by surprise...I personally believe that she was obedient to the Spirit of God to produce this work for a time such as this. Our generation will Thank Her one day I believe for her unselfish actions in writing this Elder Care "How To Bible" for the uniformed. The Word of God says that "...my people perish for a lack of knowledge..." I believe that this book is full of knowledge that will help us all in our moments of crisis and bring life and health to all who read it.

Thanks for listening to my lengthy review and a very special Thanks to You Joy. You just keep on writing Joy and we will keep getting filled with the great knowledge we all need and can practically use for our loved ones. God Bless you and again... Thank you from our families hearts to yours.

God Bless You,
David D. Spaulding

Simply excellent...I just finished the book, cover to cover, A+...This is a
"foundational book" that every Baby Boomer should own (in addition to my
book)...Nice work Joy...Nice work... David Solie, author of "How to Say It
To Seniors"How to Say It to Seniors: Closing the Communication Gap with Our Elders

Joy Loverde's guide was like having a personal advocate walking along side me and my family as we cared for aging parents. Not only was every issue addressed in a practical manner, it was obcvious that Ms. Loverede cares deepley for elders and those assisting them. I recommend this as a must read to everyone. I know they will find answers to their questions and be blessed along the way.

This could have been featured in our 'Health' section, but is reviewed here for its wider applicability to any library concerned with social services, social issues, and eldercare. "The Complete Eldercare Planner" has been revised and completely updated for 2009 and offers the latest information on work, family, and creating a long-term, affordable care plan for an elderly loved one. From how to talk over issues to assessing senior housing options and managing medication, "The Complete Eldercare Planner" should be in every public library's collection.

This book continues to be the first place I refer people who ask me what to do for their aging parents. Having been in the senior living industry for nearly 25 years, I know what people need to look for. But I still encourage the many people who ask my advice to start with Joy's book! The last person I directed to the book told me that she had no idea just how helpful the information would be before she read it and that she agreed that it was a "must read" before even starting to look for senior living options for her parents.

The Complete Eldercare Planner is truly the complete resource for any questions I've had in caring for aging family members. Joy not only tackles needs for everyday existence, but she provides guidance in dealing with the emotional issues for both the caregiver and the elder. The Complete Eldercare Planner is a must read for anyone that has aging parents, family members or friends and I recommend it highly!

This book is indispensable! As a caregiver I have found everything I need to manage through this challenging process in The Complete Eldercare Planner. You won't have to spend weeks on the Internet or searching bookstores for resources, Joy does it all for you!

David Horgan "Author with Shira Block-When Your Parent Moves In" Adams Media

Twelve years ago I purchased an earlier version when dealing with an older relative - long distance. I read it on a 7 hour plane ride and was so much better prepared to ask the right questions and look for/ ask for services I needed to help my relative. It was a tremendous help. The checklists, pointers and websites were invaluable during a very difficult time. I have lent it to a number of my co-workers (I'm in HR). I recently purchased three copies of the latest edition, two for my work and one to keep personally.

I bought this book to prepare for the time when I will need it for my mother. The book is informative and a good resource. I am glad that I bought it.