Another Christmas gift idea: A gift we give ourselves or others who are caregivers (and don’t already own it)–Passages in Caregiving.

As readers know, Help! Aging Parents takes no ads and rarely reviews books. That said, we’re always on the lookout for gifts to help parents–and elders we care about–age well. Books that help us as caregivers, translate into helping those we care about and care for.

Gail Sheehy’s book, Passages in Caregiving, was published in 2010. Research skills.The ability to ferret out what works. Commitment. Add these to Gail Sheehy’s creativity and journalistic experience. All contributed to one goal: to navigate through the healthcare challenges and maintain quality of life for her and her husband, following his surprising recurrence of cancer. Her book recounts their journey and more.

Many know the accomplishments of Gail Sheehy and her husband, the late Clay Felker. I wondered how applicable the book would be to “normal” people, who lacked the advantages of this couple. No need for wondering. Excellent writing skills and the ability of a seasoned journalist  who’s “been there,” produce a sensitive personal narrative. It also seamlessly combines interviews with diverse people involved in various caregiving situations with a wealth of factual information, helpful resources, plus distinctly-formated “Strategies” pages for many chapters–a comprehensive, interesting read.
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Gail and her husband, who had been declared cancer-free after surgery to remove a “benign cyst” two years before, were suddenly jarred out of complacency and a very good life by “The Call” from the doctor. Clay’s cyst had come back bigger than ever, reported the doctor. That dreaded phone call, experienced by so many of us, changes life as we’ve thought it would be, or expect it to be, or have plans for it to be… in the blink of an eye.

“Dizzy from conflicting opinions, many delivered with more egotism than expertise, I didn’t know whom to trust. It began to dawn on me that my life, too, had changed radically. I had a new role.
Family caregiver.
I didn’t expect it. I wasn’t prepared for it. Nobody briefs us on all the services we are expected to perform when we take on this role……
…And I had no idea that nearly fifty million other American adults were stumbling along the same unpredictable path…..” (pp. 9-10)
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Note: I planned to give my copy of Gail Sheehy’s book to a caregiver friend several months ago. Having moved to NYC 3 years before, remembering which unpacked box it was in proved a challenge. Once located, I reread it and decided not to part with it. It’s a keeper. Indeed, you will find snippets from it in future posts. (PS–my friend will get a new copy.)

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