Nursing Homes: The Family's Journey (Paperback)

by Peter S. Silin (Author) "If you are a caregiver reading this book, you may be preparing for a relative to enter a nursing home..." (more)
Key Phrases: recreation staff, geriatric care manager, care conference, United States, Lydia Jean, Sable Hill (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
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 Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"... I particularly like ... "Settling In," which covers resident adjustment, changes in behavior, dementia and the caregiver's emotional adjustment… -- Contra Costa (California) Times

"... a very humanistic book and a very practical one ...(the author) sees the human side of the equation first." -- Eldercare Online (www.ec-online.net)

"Making a Home Better" ...includes wonderful advice on how ...one can influence what goes on inside a nursing home... -- Los Angeles Times

***** (Five/five stars)...(T)his book stands out for its focus on the feelings of the families at this stressful time -- Doody's Health Sciences Journal

Silin comes across as such an extraordinarily sensitive commentator that you often feel he is right there chatting with you. -- ElderLawAnswers.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (May 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801866251
• ISBN-13: 978-0801866258
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #157,668 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Nursing > Nursing Home Care
  #25 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Nursing > Nursing Home Care
  #29 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Nursing > Gerontology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get answers for your hardest questions, July 29, 2001

By	Peter Steele (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

I read this book to get some answers about the procedures to follow for added care for my 91 year old mother who is still in her own apartment but is failing. This book not only gave me a step by step direction what to look for and the options to consider but also gave examples of what others were able to do.

This book was most helpful and also gave insights about what to expect as the next stages of assistance unfold. I would recommend it to anyone else who is facing a similar situation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A well written book, full of great information, August 22, 2001

By	Howard Block (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

I have been working in the field of elder care for most of my adult life. I also have aging parents, and confront this issue in my personal life. Silin's new book is compassionate and senstive, and offers a complete view of the nursing home process.

It is unique in that it offers much pragmatic information, but also helps the reader confront emotional issues. One way this is achieved is by the use of vignettes written by caregivers. These stories allow the reader to read other family member's perspective, which gives added insight to the nursing home industry.

Silin also writes at length about such emotionally charged issues as abuse, guilt, loss and grief. He doesn't just raise these issues, but gives guidance and advice. This certainly will help people to deal with these painful issues.

Although he is honest and direct, he never under estimates the value of good and caring people who work in nursing homes.

After reading this book book, you will have a much more complete understanding of the problems both of nursing homes, of the people who live in them, and of their family and friends.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WIsh I had read this book earlier!, October 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Nursing Homes: The Family's Journey (Hardcover)

"Your book is a treasure. I wish I had read it 5 years ago. It definitely would have made my journey easier!
Appendix 2, Accessing care in Canada, and Appendix 4, the Questionnaire for viewing Nursing Homes, are invaluable. It took me months to figure those facts out for myself ... particularly the route to accessing care facilities, and the awareness that with costs based on income, they can be affordable to anyone. Most people assume that costs are prohibitive except for the wealthy, and for that reason they do not consider "care" an option for themselves. How can we make people aware of the many excellent, affordable facilities around? Public awareness, especially of Intermediate Care facilities, is important as so many seniors struggle independently, endangering their health and safety, unaware that Intermediate Care would indeed be not only suitable but also affordable for them. A number of doctors, to my knowledge, are even unaware of how the system works!
Chapter 17, Difficult decisions, you presented very factually yet
compassionately. It is so important to talk about the death of a loved one both before and after the event. Fear can be reduced and grief can be acknowledged. The care histories are so relevant. Hearing about others' anger, guilt and need for balance in personal life "hits home" with anyone who has had to put a loved one in care."