From MAGGIE the dog to FINAL YEARS and Parent Care

You may wonder how I went from writing about my soul mate dog in MAGGIE The Dog Who Changed My Life to writing about parent care and loss in FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed. Although they are two different topics, both of my books bring to light difficult feelings and experiences that many find hard to talk about and listen to. Both MAGGIE and my parents touched my deeply and changed my life.

Are you a caregiver to aging or ill parents? Have you lost your parents?Many baby boomers are part of the sandwich generation caring for both their children and elderly parents. In my new book, FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed, ten people shared stories of tough decisions, family dynamics, grief, and healing as their parents’ health diminished and they eventually passed. I weave my own account through each of their chapters.

December 5 the Best Day to Enjoy Saving With a Kindle Countdown Deal

For only $1.99 (list price = $6.99) you can download a Kindle copy of my book for yourself and gift a copy of  FINAL YEARS to a friend or family member. This Kindle Countdown Deal runs until tomorrow (you can see the countdown clock here for how long you have to buy at this price before it goes up in increments of $1.00 back up to $6.99). You don’t need a Kindle to read a kindle book. You can download a free Kindle app on your computer, Mac, iPad, tablet and most smartphones.

Are you a caregiver feeling alone, unsupported or unsure where to turn? Visit dawnkairns.com if you want to learn more about FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed and to find kindred spirits for what you may be going through. You might also like the articles on my other blog, Final Years Blog, at http://dawnkairns.com/final-years-blog/. Here you can find an excerpt in two parts for my new book, Final Years, and other articles on caring for aging parents. Take care.

Click title below if you want to order  my book(s):

MAGGIE the Dog Who Changed My Life

FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed

FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed

My second book, FINAL YEARS STORIES OF Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed is now available on Kindle and Nook. I share this with you in case you are in the shoes of being a caregiver for your parents or know someone else in the caregiver’s shoes. Here is the description: 

“Helping our parents’ transition through aging, decline and death changes many adult children's lives forever. It shakes their very foundation. Caregivers often feel lost and alone and don't know where to turn for support in a culture where sharing feelings about the decline of a loved one, emotional pain and loss may not be well-received. Many tears are cried while making difficult choices with and for loved ones.

In this book ten people share their stories of tough roads of decision-making, family dynamics, grief, and moving on. The author weaves her own account through each of their chapters. While reading these stories in the caregivers’ voice, readers will know they are not alone but part of a "hidden tribe" who share a common bond. They will find guidance for navigating their way through their parents' final years as they find themselves in the stories of others in this book.

This book is for anyone caring for aging parents, for anyone grappling with sibling conflict during this difficult time, for anyone who has lost a parent, and for those with unresolved guilt or regret around their parent's decline and death. It is also for parent elders who wish to look through the eyes of children as the adult caregivers.”

FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and on Barnes and Noble Nook. I hope you will share this with friends you care about who are dealing with caring for aging or declining parents, or their loss. It will soon be having its' own separate blog.

 

Decline and Death of a Parent: Stories From Those Who Have Been There

We are moved by what we love. First, it was my dog, my constant companion, Maggie, who inspired my first book, MAGGIE the dog who changed my life. Then caring for my declining parents moved me to write once again, and to talk with others to explore and share their experiences in caring for their aging and dying parents. We all lose our parents. I always knew I'd lose my parents, but was not prepared for how overwhelming and life-changing it was. Perhaps you've been there, too, or are now experiencing this challenging time in your lives.

For those of you who are interested, I describe my book below. I am also asking for your help. I have 3 working titles listed below. Will you please take a moment and respond with a comment on my blog to let me know which one speaks to you the most?  

Coming in 2013 ...

Working Titles:

Decline and Death of a Parent: Stories From Those Who Have Been There

Caring for Aging Parents: Tough Choices, Changed Lives

 Parent Loss: Choices Made, Tears Cried, and Lives Changed

Dad and me around 2000

In my book, I interview others who have lost their parents and share my story, too. We delve into:

• Family of origin interactions, and relationship with our parents.

• How the declining health of aging parents impacted us emotionally and in our day to day life.

• Whether or not siblings worked together to help declining parents. Was there conflict and if so, how did we resolve it?

• How parent decline and loss changes us and the choices we make in our lives.

• What decisions we have to make about parent care.

• Were we at peace with our parents before they became ill; if not, how we made peace with our parents before or after they died. Or not.

• What happens to family dysfunctional patterns (if present) during parent illness?

• What coping skills and resources people called on when dealing with declining parents and their eventual deaths.

• How we who lost parents found support from friends in our grief, or did we?

• What experiences with health care professionals were like and whether they were helpful or hindering in any way

• What was clearing out the "stuff" in our parents’ home like?

• Feelings that were hard to come to terms with surrounding our parents' decline and death; feelings that still haunt us or that we finally came to terms with.

• Whether any emotions like guilt or anger, or any events interfered with or prolonged our grieving process.

• How we resolved our grief.

• How our culture is with grief.

• Unusual or unexplainable experiences after we lost our parents – what some people might call “paranormal.”

• Advice for those of you just coming into the care of declining parents or dying parents.

My hope is that this book will help those of you coming into the care of your aging, declining, and dying parents, and that you will find yourself in the stories shared by others in my book. In so doing, may you find comfort, answers, kindred spirits, and support as you go through this unavoidable milestone in your life ...

Please click here and fill out the contact form if you are interested in being on a notification list for when my book on parent aging and loss is available.

Again, I will so appreciate it if you can please take a moment to comment on your preference of title listed above. Thank you very much.