Parenting Your Parents - What to Do When it's Your Turn

by Jim Comer

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1881825493
• ISBN13: 9781881825494
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Unknown
• Length: 277 Pages
• Weight: 3.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Parent Care-Enjoy the Process

Reviewed by Richard Blake for Reader Views (7/06) This is the first person account of Jim Comer. The narrative details the role reversal he experienced as he became the primary caregiver for his aging parents. The book is divided into four sections. In part one Jim records the emotional and practical challenges he faced when his father suffered a massive stroke and his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Jim reveals an uncanny sense of humor as he relates incidents from his eight years of dealing with the unexpected twists of care giving as he guides the reader through valuable tips, heartwarming stories, and valuable insights into life in retirement homes, assisted-living facilities, and nursing homes. I found myself laughing as Jim casually interjected comments like the following: "There's no way to escape conversational bogs and long silences. I'm a good listener and genuinely interested in a variety of subjects...however, finding subjects to discuss with an Alzheimer's patient and a deaf man would be a challenge for Barbara Walters." The next moment I'd find my eyes welling up with tears as I empathized with Jim as he watched his mother as she came out of the anesthetic after hip surgery, deeply disoriented and agitated. Each chapter in this section ends with "Comer's Commandments". These are brief summary statements of the lessons Jim learned from the incidents related in the chapter. These are excellent points to discuss with siblings, or to assimilate yourself for future application as you prepare for your possible future role as caregiver. Part two includes interviews with experts in five areas of elder care. The questions and answers in this section lay the groundwork for interaction and a proactive strategy for planning for facilities, health care, elder law, long-term insurance, and funeral planning. These experts in their individual fields provide solid advice and steps to research locally the available choices the readers will find themselves making. Part three is made up of fifty questions that will save you time, money, and tears. This is a tear out section and should be considered an important first step in determining the primary care giver within the family and the desires of the parents prior to a crisis. Section four provides resources for getting the help you need at federal, state and local levels. The author's goal in writing this book was "to help the reader make informed decisions, avoid disasters, and recover quickly from the occasional error in judgment." Comer has done this using his uncanny wit, his heartwarming understanding of human need, and his gifted talent for writing. This is a book every reader will refer to often. Jim Comer is an outstanding communicator with an important message.This is a book that will help you experience personal growth, and move you into a new level of intimacy with your aging parents.