Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions (FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS)

My mother lives 1,000 miles away in a senior independent living facility where she is happy. However, her health has started to decline and although I have medical power of attorney, I am asked to make decisions for her only if she's unable to make them herself. I don't want to be caught off guard in an emergency and so this book has been very thorough for being aware of services, resources, and the differences in living arrangements. She has a great relationship with her brother and sister-in-law, scores of friends, and ties to her community dating back to 1956. She has lived in the same zip code since 1976. Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions Last year I had asked a pastor who had served as chaplain for an assisted living facility if she could recommend a good book like this. Now, after sharing my copy of this book with her, she has purchased one for the church library and given two copies to members of the church to help them. My mom is in the hospital now, but I have located excellent (next step) facilities near my home and also near hers, depending on how she recovers, and what She Needs and She Wants next. It has given me peace of mind to know that my research has been thorough, all because of this book!

There is a bewildering selection of "how to care for the elderly" books. Paul and Lori Hogan, in Stages of Senior Care, wrote one which is worth finding. They teach their readers about critical potential resources for the challenges: professional, non-familial service providers, for example through home health agencies which can provide in-home nursing assistance, or a skilled nursing facility. The Hogans founded Home Instead Senior Care, a chain of franchises which offer in-home assistance ranging from simple companionship to hospice support. The book is admirably balanced - while the Hogans do use their professional experiences with Home Instead for reference, they readily draw on other data and opinions as well. The book is a detail-by-detail look at all the possibilities, and when they are most appropriately in use. But equally important, the Hogans, with compassion and tact, alert their audience to unanticipated obstacles. Among them: safely managing a parent who develops paranoia as a symptom of Alzheimer's; your own intense, often conflicting emotions about your family; the terrifying financial drain resources can cause. This book gives people some tools for coping. Lauren Williams, Certified Professional Organizer(R), Owner, Casual Uncluttering LLC, Woodinville, WA USA

This is a must have book. It is very, very comprehensive. You can skip around to the parts you need answers for right now. It has great questions to ask for in house help, or for the resident management. It has real life, right now, applicable resource addresses and information. I bought this for myself and my two siblings. We went over it with my parents a few years ago which helped last year for us to make a lot of progress. This is a no nonsense book that is like a bible in the help, comfort and resources it offers.

It has now been 5 yrs. since mom moved in. The book is very helpful, for the road ahead is not going to be easy. All the help one can get, and more. Visit [...] It is a website for Caregivers that have questions. It is non-commercial, non-political. It helps caregivers to share their questions as they care for a parent. This book is excellent! I do recommend it! M88

While the book concentrates on helpful information for family caregivers, it also provides essential guidelines for Senior Citizens who are trying to enter their Golden Years with security. The book is also a wake up call to those Seniors who want to "stay in place" and not go to a multi-stage retirement community or are under the illusion that if they suffer a health event, all will be taken care of. Simply, the secret to being taken care of in such cases is careful planning with the help of professionals like the authors of the book.