Rating: 
Summary: Elder Rage or Take My Father...Please
Review: As the overseer of my mother's health care (she's 93 years old)I was thrilled to read this book. It contains so many human stories in one story. Jacqueline's parents had all of the foibles that most older people have. I related with all the situations, escept the rage of her father because my father died before he could get to that stage. My mother is suffering from dementia and the book has helped me abolish some of the guilt I carry for not doing "all I could" to make my mother happy. The humor in the book helps the reader complete each chapter. Without the humor, the story would be too sad to read about. I loved the style of Jacqueline's writing, in that, I felt she was totally sincere. To pretend that caring for parents with these kinds of problems is cut and dry is absolutely nonsence. It takes a combination of love, determination and constant vigilance for the proper care giving to be sucessful. I highly recommend this book to ALL persons over the age of 50 because they either have parents, or other relatives who will soon be in the state Jacquelines's parents were in, or they will soon be in that dilemma themselves. The boomers are here and so are the masses of dementia patients who will soon need care either in their own homes or in dementia facilities. This book is absolutely necessary reading for people everywhere, because age happens to all of us. Sincerely, Patricia Suchan -Wooster, Ohio
Rating:
Summary: Laugh & Cry and Learn How to Survive Raising Your Parents
Review: How I wish I'd had this book five years ago! There is so much of value in Elder Rage. Although I have been struggling for over a year with my mother, I thought I had it pretty bad and I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. However, after seeing what Jacqueline has gone through, I realized there are many people like me who haven't a clue. We just wade through the horrendous experience of losing our parents to dementia or Alzheimers. When I had babies, I read books like crazy and learned a lot. However, this is the first book which really gives a lot of information in an entertaining way on how to cope with a really awful time. Had I had this book early on I think everyone, including my mother, would have been a lot better off. I am going to nag all of my friends who still have parents living to read this book. MUST READ!
Rating:
Summary: Great Information with Good Humor
Review: I left a lengthy career in marketing and PR last year to move to another state to care for my aging parents. My mom and dad wanted to maintain their independent lifestyle in spite of the onset of dementia and blindness. They needed help in order to do that, but they would not accept help from anyone outside the family. This book has been my constant companion during my adventure in full-time eldercare. Why? Because it's hilarious and has lots of important information. Ms. Marcell writes about her personal experiences leaving a corporate career and taking on the role of caregiver for her parents. Her story is not just about resources for people like me who are searching for answers. It's a compassionate, humorous and straightforward account of what a Baby Boomer can expect when it comes to coping with the dark side of supporting aging parents, including navigating the vagaries of the eldercare system. It's a must-read for anyone facing this challenge.
Rating:
Summary: Elder Rage, Take My Father Please
Review: I purchased this book out of desperation when I lived with my father for 3mos to help him move to an assisted living apartment. When my father became abusive & confused & biligerent I needed help. Elder Rage showed me step by step information on how to notify the DMV to revoke his liscence. The book gave my hours of laughter as Jacqueline brought light humor into several familiar situations I could not laugh at at the time. Also the reference books included inb her book were also helpful at my local library. One day when I needed to call the police on my father it was very interesting to be told that the local police used Elder Rage as their text for training in Alzheimer's. Elder Rage was informative throughout her book & also a supportive manual for anyone going through a tough love situation with their parents. Without the informatin given to me in Elder Rage concerning the DMV, Do not strike a parent but call the police due to elder abuse & behavior modification I would not have completed my mission. Jacqueline's account of tough love & persistance & humor & information is must read for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Aiding Dominating, Difficult Seniors Suffering from Dementia
Review: We have all read stories about the problems of families with verbally and physically abusive fathers. What happens when physical and mental ills cause these problems to get worse when the man gets older? Ms. Jacqueline Marcell writes a compelling (and usually harrowing) tale of her struggle to help both of her parents regain their health and ability to function. She clothes the obvious pain of the circumstances with humor that makes the message easier to absorb. At the end of the book, you will find many helpful suggestions for how to be an effective planner and implementer of good health support for elderly people. Ms. Marcell's mother had a heart attack, and her domineering father insisted in taking care of everything. After 11 years, Ms. Marcell finds her mother on death's door due to the poor care her father has been providing and the home a pig sty. Despite severe personal problems (such as being in recovery from spinal surgery, losing her job, and ending a long-term relationship), she takes on the difficult and thankless task of getting her parents some help. Her father fights her at every turn, using both charm (when he's in his rational mind) and rage (when he's out of control) to get what he wants. Through a tough battle of over 9 months, she is able to find a winning formula and both parents start to improve. You can continue to read the saga of her parents on her web site. You have to admire Ms. Marcell's courage, her persistence, and her intelligence. Health care providers did not believe that her father was violent, even after he tried to strangle her. In brief interviews, they found him to be charming and penitent (whenever he was caught in the act). Most things she tried didn't work, because he was a lot worse than anyone realized. Whatever his initial problems were with controlling his anger, they got worse as the arteries to his brain clogged. With lots of medical treatment, drugs, behavioral training, and a fantastic caregiver, miracles finally happened. If either of your parents was physically or verbally abusive when younger, you should read this book. It is full of practical advice in the section at the end. I graded the book down one star for an imbalance in the presentation. The first 270 pages are the case history of her experiences. As much as I sympathize with Ms. Marcell's horrible experience, this section needed to be shortened. The benefit you will get by reading it all is a sense of the despair that must fill the days of the child trying to help in such a circumstance. I do not begrudge Ms. Marcell writing so much though. It must have been therapy for her. On the other hand, most readers will find what they need in pages 272 to the end. You certainly need to read enough of the first 270 pages to get a sense of what the problems are like, but unless you find it fascinating . . . feel free to skip forward. You will not be missing much that you need to know. At the same time, the general material could have been made more detailed. That would have improved the book and made it more helpful. For example, there is about a half page on how to handle a senior who is feigning illness to avoid going to Senior Day Care. The section is fine, but it deals with the issue at a surface level. This material could easily have been expanded to 5-10 pages. How much effort should go into checking out the potential that the senior really does have an illness? Which potential illnesses should be ignored and which paid attention to? Ms. Marcell obviously had substantial financial resources that she could throw into the fray. Most families will not be so well endowed. The advice section could have used much more direction for those who are more financially and time constrained than Ms. Marcell was. Finally, I must say that my hat is off to Ms. Marcell. Her parents are indeed fortunate to have had her as a daughter. You will like her, and what she has to say. Give the book a try! After you finish reading the book, think about where else character flaws will become greater as people age. I especially encourage you to think about this in terms of your spouse and yourself. A responsible parent would do best to solve these problems in advance, rather than waiting for a child to come along and rescue the situation after it is a mess. If you have any weaknesses that this book reminds you of, I suggest that you apply Life Strategies and Relationship Rescue to help you. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That's an old saw, but this book once again establishes its validity.
Rating:
Summary: If you have been there or are going there then READ THIS ONE
Review: Ms Marcell has written a remarkable book. If you read it you will be far better prepared to care for your aging parents. There is really a lot of insight and wit in her story telling but more than that she lets you see the "behind closed doors" of a family in trouble. This is something usually hidden because of shame and embarrassment. Trust me on this: if your situation ever even approaches the one she dealt with you will be extremely grateful to her for letting you know that you are not alone and perhaps more important for letting you know some of the things she found that helped.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone with aging parents
Review: Jacqueline Marcell has hit the nail on the head.
The author describes her role as a caregiver of
two elderly parents in short vignettes told with
humor and insight. The stories reveal the anger,
frustration, and sorrow experienced as a
caregiver while she tries to learn and help her
parents remain in their own home as their health
deteriorated.
This book has hit home. As a caregiver of a parent suffering from
Altzheimer's Disease, Elder Rage reminded me
that I'm not alone. This is a book for every adult
with aging parents who suffer from memory loss.
Rating:
Summary: A Caregiver must read!
Review: Taking care of one person w/Alzheimer's is always a daunting challenge, but caring for both of your Alzheimer's parents at the same time, doing it with love, devotion, intellect and grit; then sitting down to write a best-selling book about it with all the anguish and sorrow involved, while still retaining a delightful humor is a remarkable achievement and Jacqueline Marcell has done it all beautifully. But don't be misled by the chuckles, (and, yes, it's OK to laugh about Alzheimer's, sometimes things are just so darn funny), this is a serious work and the reader cannot help but gain a better understanding of this elusive disease. Having cared for my own husband for ten years, I know that caregiving problems overwhelm the best of us, but Marcell offers a myriad of solutions, suggestions and resources. Additionally, she includes a physician's guide to treating aggression, written by Rodman Shankle, MS, MD, one of the leading specialists in the Alzheimer's community. You can't help but smile, rage and cry along with her. You won't go wrong with Elder Rage(...)
Rating:
Summary: Informative, Easy Read
Review: The author invites you into her own hell and you easily relate to her journey. This is a book that should be required reading for all who have elder parents or those nearing that age. Comprehensive index of sources that could help pave the way.
Rating:
Summary: Elder Rage: Delightfully Entertaining and Insightful!
Review: Anyone who even knows somebody with an elderly parent must read Elder Rage by Jacqueline Marcell. My husband and I couldn't stifle our laughter in Barnes and Noble just reading her table of contents! We were there to do the demographics on our own book and ended up buying hers. We couldn't put it down and bought at least 10 copies for our friends and family who in turn purchased copies for their friends. I have spoken to her on the phone several times and she is just as hilarious in person as her writing depicts. She is a terrific writer and person. You won't be disappointed in the least. Everyone should have their own copy.
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