Some of the content is cumbersome to get through. The author tells her story of caring for her elderly parents. Her father is particularly manipulative and very, very foul mouthed. Be warned that there is a LOT of profanity in the book. I would have preferred that it be left out. Yes, you can say that your father "could turn the air blue" with his profanity. I just did not need nor appreciate seeing so much of it. Since I'm passing it on to my adult children who also do not use foul language, I whited out the profanity as I came across it. It really didn't add anything to the story. The material in chapter 16 was particularly helpful as is the reference material at the end of the book. Chapter 16 outlines what the author had learned and what she would do differently. For those just starting out to be a caregiver, this could be helpful. But I would advocate that you learn all you can about caring for an elderly parent LONG before they have dementia. Get the Durable Power of Attorney while they still have some presence of mind. Plan financially for long-term care. It is a good thing for aging parents to read BEFORE they can't process things anymore. I read it because: 1. I am a caregiver to an elderly parent. 2. I will one day BE an elderly parent 3. My children may one day have to deal with me as an elderly parent and I want their experience to be easier than mine has been.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Anyone who deals with an elderly parent should read this book and KEEP it to read again and again. The author writes about her own journey caring for her parents and the highs and lows of dealing with her father's dementia. Some parts are shocking, some are funny but ALL of them are filled with love and compassion. Her writing style is easy to read and you fall in love with the entire family right from the start. I can't recommend it highly enough, both as a good read but more importantly, as a great source of support and understanding of the things that happen in the minds of those suffering from dementia. It helped me see my own father as the frail human he was becoming and the fear that drove him.
I bought this book for my Mom as my Grandmother has moved in with her, and all the love in the world cannot stop my Grandmother from driving my Mom crazy. I bought it for her as sort of a joke that turned out to be the best book she has ever read. It has since been passed around to numerous other friends and family members who all state it is the best book they have read as well. It really is a must read for everyone, whether you have your parents living with you or not. It is a great read to prepare you on how to deal with the elderly, their quirks and to prepare yourself when you are making your children nuts :) 5 stars for an Excellent Book!!!
I nearly read this book from cover to cover in ONE night! It really added perspective to similar situation our family is in with my Mother, and like Jake, made me realize that IF one doesn't deal with the "baggage" or sins of your younger days, it will resurface to torment not just you but your children. I pray that it wakes people up to this reality because Jake was blessed to have a daughter who loves him no matter what as does my Mother no matter how devilish they act and treat us REAL LOVE doesn't desert it faces the "music" and wins.
I love that the author is writing from her personal experience, lovingly caring for her elderly parents, in a poignant yet humorous style. I found the advice given in the book extremely helpful in caring for my elderly Mother. I also purchased a copy for my cousin, who has been caring for her elderly Mother, as well. She reported to me that she couldn't put the book down, alternately crying and laughing, as she read it.
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