Customer Reviews

Complete Idiot's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents

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So helpful, so much I didn't know, so easy to read, such a needed book, loved it, refer to it constantly. How are we all going to get through all the years of care-giving that are ahead of us Baby Boomers?! You must get prepared, read this book, it will help you, and the other one I loved is ELDER RAGE or Take My Father, Please! That one really made me laugh as I learned so much too, and boy don't we need that!

This book is terrific. I'm a nurse at a family practice office and many of our patients are older. I'm always answering questions of their adult children about their parent's health, what they should do about their medications and what does Medicare cover? They also have no idea of how to look for a nursing home or know whether or not it's even needed in the first place. This book has the answers. It's easy to understand and overflows with information, resources, places to call and great web sites. What makes this book so special, is that Dr. Rhodes has had the personal experience of caregiving herself. Her down to earth stories of "having been there" makes what she says so much more credible. We like the book so much, that we're going to have copies in our waiting room.

Jodi Gorman, LPN Leonardtown, Maryland

"What I would have given for such a book when I was a caregiver to my aging parents. Each year many people are suddenly cast into the role of decision maker for their older parents. People, like me, who have no clue as to where to start to find the kind of resources their loved ones need. That is where a book like this can be worth its weight in gold. Rhodes steps up to bat with her book just in time to help those people deal with the stress of caregiving more effectively and with more awareness of the pitfalls. Of the many books about aging in my library, it is the best quick-read problem solver.....

For those of us who are aging and for our children who need to know how to deal with it (and us), this is a superb reference to every aspect of growing older. It is comprehensive, with a wealth of additional resources; it is infinitely readable; and--best of all--the author understands and addresses the psychological as well as the physiological and logistical problems of aging and dealing with older relatives and friends. It belongs on the shelf next to the dictionary in every home--if, that is, you can put it down long enough to place it on a shelf. Buy one for yourself and one for each of your children--and then tell all your friends about it.

"Your book is delightful. We found it to be practical, thorough and easy to read. All in all, a wonderful resource for older adults and their caregivers and families. Thank you for writing it!"

Mary Anne Kelly, Executive Director Southwestern Partnership for Aging

Help your parents age with grace and safety with the aid of this latest 'Complete Idiot' guide, which offers plenty of facts on how aging affects all qualities of life and which also offers solutions to common challenges. From simple plans on handling health care and money issues to caring for a parent at home and recognizing dangerous health signs, the Complete Idiot's Guide To Caring For Aging Parents provides all the keys to the common challenges facing aging parents and their kids.

I found this book when both of my parents were at that point where they needed some help, but I didn't know how to help them without being or feeling intrusive into their lives. (The book even gave me help to bring the topics up when it was appropriate.) It has simple guidelines presented in a compassionate and understanding perspective, and, more importantly, has a huge resource library of the most useful information about all the what's, where's, when's and how's of moving through this time with your parents. I see so many people struggling with the same things we did, that I give it or recommend it to everyone who seems to have the need.

We bought this book two years ago when my wife's mother (age 92 living with us) began having health problems and we needed some help to know how to deal with the moods, stubbornness, health issues, eldercare, nursing homes and her ultimate passing. The book was light-hearted, funny in spots, yet straight forward with good solid helpful information. We bought this second copy to give to a co-worker who is just entering the same situation with her mother...we think it will help her as well. We couldn't find our copy...probably loaned out to someone else.