Silin, a geriatric social worker with his own management company, has worked with all those involved in the daily routines of nursing homes--the residents, their families and friends, and the professional and nonprofessional members of the staffs. His advice in this definitely nonacademic book is broadly based. He counsels realistically on what to look for in choosing a home, how to deal with the family member who will become a resident, and how to handle the various relationships that will be involved. He doesn't just discuss those matters; he also suggests what to say in various situations and how to say it. Moreover, he considers feelings of guilt and shame as well as such things as selection, costs, and handling complaints. Silin works in Canada, but the book's valuable appendixes contain information helpful to those living in the U.S., as well.
William BeattyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
An important book about the often difficult and painful process that begins long before a loved family member enters a nursing home... A thorough, excellent and humane book that helps families navigate a difficult, traumatic life change in the most successful way possible.
(Marcie Paker, Ph.D.CFLE
Inside GCM 2005)
Among the most valuable chapters in this book is one titled Making a Home Better, which includes wonderful advice on how a loved one can influence what goes on inside a nursing home. His inclusion of real-life stories from the families he's encountered over 20 years anchors the book compassionately.
(
Los Angeles Times )
Although I have read other books about nursing home placement and nursing home quality, this book stands out for its focus on the feelings of the families at this stressful time.
(
Doody's Health Sciences 5-Star Review )
Silin has worked in elder care for 20 years and has his own geriatric care management company, Diamond Geriatrics. Reading his book, you're hearing the voice of experience.Although there is a vast literature on choosing a nursing home, this book seems to do more.
(
Vancouver Sun )
With a clear and intelligent writing style, Silin has performed a vital service that will make nursing home decisions easier.
(Bob Powers
Marietta (Ohio) Times )
[Silin] counsels realistically on what to look for in choosing a home, how to deal with the family member who will become a resident, and how to handle the various relationships that will be involved. He doesn't just discuss those matters; he also suggests what to say in various situations and how to say it. Moreover, he considers feelings of guilt and shame as well as such things as selection, costs, and handling complaints.
(
Booklist )
This is both a very humanistic book and a very practical one... written with the insight of a sociologist and geriatric care manager, someone who sees the human side of the equation first.
(
ElderCare Online )
Practical and valuable information at a difficult time.
(Annette Meyer
Arizona Daily Star )
This book is a complete guide to the family's complex journey of placing someone in a nursing home.
(
Journal of Gerontological Nursing )
The information in Nursing Homes is of excellent quality. The vignettes are a powerful supplement to each section. Silin's style is informal and easy to read but based on sound theoretical principles, research, and 'best practices' in gerontology.
(Lilian Wells, University of Toronto School of Social Work )
This is a terrific book that will be of immense comfort and benefit to those who read it. Families dealing with aging and chronic illness need concrete information, decision support and clear, empathic guidance to face and accept the storm of emotions that accompany these issues. Peter Silin's book does all of that, in a calm, forthright and sometimes humorous manner that goes directly to the often unspoken pain that complicates the process of choice. The inclusion of the stories from support group members is invaluable. I enthusiastically recommend this work to clients and fellow care management professionals.
(Peter S. Belson, former president, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and Senior Director, CareGuide, Inc. )
These true stories speak with power and passion.
(William H. Thomas, author of
The Eden Alternative )
