Parent Care: A Common Sense Guide for Adult Children

Real-life examples illustrate basic steps critical to those who are faced with taking care of elderly parents and offer an approach to dealing with the anger and stress sometimes associated with this growing problem

UCLA psychiatry professors Jarvik and Small address adult children of aging parents in this comprehensive guide personalized by case histories of their clinical patients. They offer much sensible advice on solving problems posed by the reversed roles. The authors record experiences of offspring dealing with fathers and mothers who need financial or emotional support, who are widowed or physically ailing. Suggestions for alleviating the strain on relationships between elderly parents and children are sympathetically presented, illustrated by questionnaires for readers to assess whether their handling of crises can be improved. The book also includes information on geriatric illnesses, drugs, nutrition, etc., and lists of organizations specializing in gerontology.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Jarvik and Small, both physicians and authorities on geriatrics, prepared this guide to help adult children deal with the role reversals that often occur with aging. They apply a "commonsense approach to problem solving" to a variety of practical situations. Although others have discussed these subjects, Jarvik and Small focus on how to minimize the anger, resentment, guilt, and stress that can accompany parent-child relationships in the later years. Appendixes include lists of common health problems, living wills, power of attorney, and other resources and suggested readings. Highly recommended.Karen McNally Bensing, Metropolitan General Hospital Lib., Cleveland
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.