The Gift of Caring

July 1, 2015
The tsunami of growing older didn't happen all at once. Rather, it came in small floods, with drying-out periods in between. Houle writes passionately about the deteriorating health of her elderly parents and her role as a primary caregiver, which is a blessing and a burden. She tells a tale of love and struggle, with elements of disbelief, denial, helplessness, grief, and, ultimately, acceptance. As well as advocacy. Her father, a retired orthopedic surgeon, descends into Alzheimer's dementia, suffers a broken hip, and passes away. Her mother's health also fails via a stroke and severe dehydration. Houle portrays caregivers and doctors and describes ER visits, hospital stays, and long-term-care facilities. Between her chronicles are succinct commentaries by geriatrician Eckstrom, who addresses problems affecting seniors, including transitioning from home to a medical facility, dementia, falls, delirium, and polypharmacy (too many medications). In another 15 years, about 20 percent of Americans will be older than 65. This book offers worthwhile advice and support for those who care about their aging parents and find themselves providing care for them, too.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)