Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want [Paperback]

Cheryl A. Kuba (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2006

Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents proposes an entirely unique approach to the field of gerontology, giving dependent care receivers a voice.  

Caregivers will be made aware of what care receivers truly want during life's final chapters. Exploring issues of housing, spirituality, personal care and death, Cheryl Kuba has created a testament to the dependent elderly. This book draws on numerous interviews with aging people and discusses common caregiver mistakes and interpretations, what a caregiver should expect when an aging parent moves in, and how to care for an aging parent from afar. Kuba also delves into such phenomena as guilt, role reversal, changing family dynamics, financial stress, and caring for oneself while caring for another. The 22.4 million elderly people being cared for in the United States comprises the fastest growing segment of the population, making this reference on the opinions and concerns of care receivers invaluable.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Cheryl Kuba reveals the inner world of the care receiver, providing a compassionate solution-orientated approach, invaluable action steps and resources enlightened by testimonials. Powerful, insightful, and a must for everyone!' - Bruno Cortis, author of The Spiritual Heart

'Although there are now many guides for the baby boom generation about elder care, this is the first one that addresses the topic solely from the perspective of the care recipients. The rich personal stories based on interviews with elders who have chronic illnesses bring the dilemmas of caregiving and care receiving into sharp focus. Adult children will find direction and empathy in these pages.' - Daniel Kuhn, author of Alzheimer's Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends, and Caregivers and Director of Education, Mather Institute on Aging, Mather Lifeways

About the Author

Cheryl A. Kuba holds an M.A. in Gerontology, is the founder of Aging Parent Solutions, (LLC), and is a member of the National Speaker Association. She is the former Executive Director of the Ivy Retirement Community, regional marketing director for Brookdale Senior Living Communities, and director of public relations for the Illinois Hospital Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415952883
• ISBN-13: 978-0415952880
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Gerontology

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If only I had known--, July 1, 2006

By 

nancyyipes "nancyyipes" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want (Paperback)

If, 18 years ago, I had been able to find the practical, care receiver information Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents provides we could have enjoyed my mother's last years. Instead we battled. Cheryl Kuba presents not only the what but also the why and how of humane and loving caregiving.
The book is organized as the need for caregiving progresses. There is a beginnning and an end. The problems and fears are explained from the seniors' points of view. The caregiver responses, action items and solutions are practical and to the point. Her professional training shines through the definitions and terminology needed to communicate with seniors and with the government officials and facility administrators.
In each chapter she tells you what information you will find, gives you the information and laces it all with insights gained from her person-to-person interviews with real people caught in such a situation. The book is laid out to differentiate between the revelations from seniors and the practical information.
Ms. Kuba gently but firmly leads the reader through the agony of overcoming seniors' struggle to retain dignity and independence, caregiver's squeamishness in discussing bodily functions, finances, needs for safety and personal space. There are lists of what to do, where to seek help and information.
Above all, Navigating... is about coping. Ms. Kuba recognizes that love often gets lost in the stress of 24/7 caregiving. She provides strategies and resources for involving family, friends and community in pragmatic ways so the senior maintains contact and interaction with their real world.
My only regret for this book is that the extensive index does not distinguish between organizations/resources and subject matter.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perspective all caregivers should consider, July 22, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want (Paperback)

Many books discuss caring for one's aging parents - but here's a twist: a discussion on the topic from the parents' perspective. Interviews with aging people discuss common care-giver mistakes, misinterpretations, and issues, explaining emotional and financial issues and myths. At the heart of discussions are the title's focus: NAVIGATING THE JOURNEY OF AGING PARENTS: WHAT CARE RECEIVERS WANT. It's a perspective all caregivers should consider.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great reference tool, with historical backgrounds of aging people., May 3, 2006

By 

Lorelei Lauraitis (Palos Park, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want (Paperback)

Seems as tho Cheryl captured life experiences in research, in the families interviewed with real life stories of how these people just seemed to age suddenly, as their health was diminishing before their eyes. Her stories reflect the true style of living, aging, caring and where to seek help for the parents and caregivers as well. We all have to partake as caregivers during our lifetime, in one way or another. It is written...