Customer Reviews

Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents: What Care Receivers Want

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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.

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

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...

I wanted to thank you so many times as I read through the chapters. I feel that the "other side of the story" makes this book a necessary read for the caregiver and professional, alike.

This book is the one that will give the reader the information that is missing from other well written books on this subject. We gain an insight into the happenings of the long-term care of loved ones as they age.

As a gerontological nurse practitioner, I think Cheryl has touched on the very positive aspects caregivers can look forward to when planning for their loved ones and themselves now knowing how to be inclusive to discuss those difficult issues as physical health declines, emotions are tested, and spiritual values gain strength.

Thank you Cheryl. You have worked very hard, with sensitivity, an open heart and have provided a very thorough job of helping all of us, professionals and lay persons, to now be able to have the total grasp of caregiving and care receiving as it can be for so many.

This book has helped my wife and her sister ....their Mom has been in the hospital for over 4 months...with emphysema,

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and a fungus in her lungs...this book helped us know that it is OK to let others help with her care..and for us not to be stressed out all the time. I love reading the stories of the aging..and how important it is to listen to them as well...but take care of yourself and your family too,so we all don't get burn out.

This book is a great resource for me as a first time caregiver. The author interviewed quite a number of seniors for this book to get their impressions and experience on care receiving and caregiving. I like the way Cheryl Kuba emphasizes that we need to respect our seniors and their wants and needs as much as possible. I would give this book to anyone who has no clue as to how to take care of an older declining senior.

Cheryl Kuba's book should be read by everyone. It is a unique book that speaks through the care receiver's perspective. It is a very insiteful book.

Cheryl Kuba's book is told with a gentle and caring voice. She asks the reader to see through the eye of the care receiver but never shirks the difficult realities that care givers must face. This book is a must read for anyone who is sharing this part of life's journey with a family member or loved one.

The author provides helpful information and offers many alternatives that you can consider when making care decisions for an aging or incapacitated person. She has many quotes gleaned from interviewing elderly people who had experienced different types of care. This gave me some insights in caring for my own 92 year old mother.

"Navigating the Journey of Aging Parents" is a very well organized directive that helps crystallize the aging problems and solutions. It is a wonderful account of how we can help solve the "age old" problem of old age.