Summary of What Are We Going to Do About Mom and Dad?: A Navigational Guide to Senior Living and Care by Jane Meyers-Bowen

Tackle the challenges of senior care with humor and insight in 'What Are We Going to Do About Mom and Dad?' by Jane Meyers-Bowen. Your essential guide awaits!

So, you've reached that delightful stage in life where you find yourself contemplating the not-so-distant future: what on earth to do about Mom and Dad? What Are We Going to Do About Mom and Dad? by Jane Meyers-Bowen is exactly what you need to unpack that existential crisis with a side of comics. Spoiler alert: it doesn't involve running away to a deserted island.

In this navigational guide, Meyers-Bowen tackles the tricky waters of senior living and care, making it sound almost as fun as a trip to Disneyland-if Disneyland had a lot of discussions about long-term care facilities, that is. Let's dive into the swim lanes of wisdom without sinking into a pity party.

First up, we have the vastly complex world of senior living options. Buckle up, because you'll need to navigate independent living, assisted living, and memory care centers. It's like trying to decide whether to order a cheeseburger or a salad-except the stakes are way higher, and no one wants cold fries. Meyers-Bowen effectively lays out the differences, pros, and cons, so you can make the best decision without needing a degree in gerontology.

Next, there's a delightful section on spotting the signs that Mom or Dad might need some help-the "I told you I wasn't hungry" while the fridge looks like a post-apocalyptic wasteland is usually a big red flag. Meyers-Bowen hands out advice on how to interpret those signals like a seasoned detective deciphering a mystery novel.

Then, we move on to communicating with aging parents. Yes, folks, this is the part where you might have to tread carefully while discussing how they definitely should not be climbing ladders to clean the gutters anymore. The author provides strategies that are less "I'm the boss" and more "Let's have a heart-to-heart" so that everyone leaves the table feeling heard-even if you've locked away their car keys in the process.

And for those who enjoy a little financial chit-chat, there's a tasty morsel of guidance on handling the financial aspect of elder care. You know, the fun part where you figure out if you can afford to keep Mom in her beloved home or if you'll be sending her to a facility that doubles as a petting zoo.

Meyers-Bowen also adds historically relevant tidbits-like how cultures from around the globe treat elder care differently-because sometimes it helps to see how the grass is greener elsewhere. even when it's actually just a well-manicured lawn in Sweden.

Throughout the book, Meyers-Bowen writes with a comforting voice that feels like a hug from your favorite aunt who always knows just what to say (or, you know, a sassy friend who tells it like it is). Plus, there are probably no spoilers here, just a lot of insightful tips, so feel free to dive right in without worrying about the ending!

In conclusion, What Are We Going to Do About Mom and Dad? serves up a delightful smorgasbord of essential information about senior care while maintaining a light-hearted approach. It's basically your survival guide for a subject that everyone knows eventually shows up at your door uninvited, armed with questions and lots of uncertainties. So, ready to ace that challenging conversation with Mom and Dad? Grab this guide, and let's face the music together!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.