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Summary: Great book
Review: When I ordered this book I assumed it would be a funny book about rage toward elders, not elders raging toward others, which says something about my situation I suppose. Nevertheless, I loved the book and it made me laugh and cry with recognition over the sheer frustrations experienced when caring for an elder. I shared it with a support group I go to and most of them enjoyed it as well. I have urged my siblings to read it and they have also liked it. I enjoyed the style of writing as I am sick of the seriousness of life and the drain elder illnesses can be (on caregivers, too). I thought the author had some very good points at the end of the book as to how far to put up with difficult behavior - similar to dealing with a child. I never thought of applying this to an elder. If you are a serious person looking for serious answers and serious discussion of serious matters, this book will probably disappoint you. You should be reading fact books or maybe write your own if you can't find any. This book is entertaining and helps you to laugh through the occasional insanity you are driven to in your effort to provide care for an elderly parent.
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Summary: At Last! Help for the Kids!
Review: Jacqueline's book is a much-needed resource as well as a compassionate support for the children of aging parents, especially those with Alzheimer's or Dimentia. In a world where this is an ever-increasing problem, particularly for the Baby Boomer children today, there has been nowhere to turn for answers or understanding until now. This has been a secret families kept locked in the closet. Jacqueline's book keeps the reader's attention throughout, through clever humor and as well as many examples of her incredible ordeal, showing solutions and giving hope for those of us in similar situations. As a therapist who needed more insight to this problem, I cannot recommend this book enough. All healthcare providers should educate themselves through this powerful book, and all adult children would do well to read this in preparation for what could come.
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Summary: When we become the parent to someone who is our parent..
Review: As the author of A Condition of Limbo, I found Elder Rage to be an important book, necessary to understand the rage our parents direct at us when we, the baby boomers, become the parent to our parent. Elder Rage is a book of timing, need and information we can relate to as caregivers to our parents. The book is well written, compassionate and something I know lots about. For twenty two months, I served as primary caregiver to my terminally ill father. I learned to follow the steps in Elder Rage. I recommend this book highly, along with my memoir, A Condition of Limbo. Barbie Perkins-Cooper, author A Condition of Limbo
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Summary: Riveting True Story -- Reads Like a Novel!
Review: This is an extraordinary story of caregiving in face of enormous odds. The author's deep love and devotion to her parents, tremendous capacity for problem-solving, and perseverence in the fact of enormous and unrelenting obstacles provides both a compelling story and useful caregiving advice. It also helped me to put all of my caregiving issues with my parents and step-granddaughter (who has cerebral palsy) in perspective The author's writing style is light and ironic and enabled me as a reader to grasp the horror of what she was going through without feeling the need to run away. I was hooked and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to read the book. The references and the www.elderage.com website were very useful. I have a background in counseling psychology and found the techniques and strategies she offered very useful and sound. This is a book you will want to give as a gift to your family and friends who are dealing with Eldercare issues.
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Summary: A true story of a daughter's love and compassion
Review: This could be a novel! It is a great book with a fascinating story line, containing laugh-out-loud comedy, family conflict, violence, poignancy to the point of tears, frustration, humor, compassion, hatred and love. All the stuff of novels. But it is a true story of a daughter's love for her parents and her struggle to allow Dad and Mom to live and continue loving each other in their own home. A friend loaned me a copy of ElderRage-I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days. Then I bought 10 copies to give to people who are caregivers. Several friends then bought it themselves and can't say enough about how it helped them as they care for their loved ones. I even gave copies to each of our children so they will know how to deal with us if we have such problems. All of them said the same thing, "Mom, I couldn't put it down once I started reading it!"
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Summary: Dr. Cherry Emerson Ph.D. Medical Anthropology - been there
Review: - Been there, did that, no fun, have the tee-shirt My mother is now in a secure memory impairment unit (Multi-Infract-Dementia aka Alzheimer's) The last ten years have been hell. I am a Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology and developed and implemented psychological behavioral modification programs in private prisons and halfway houses. You would think I could cope. NOT! My mother had more than one personality so in the formative stages I never knew if she was losing it or just changing people in her head. This book would have helped me at that time. I found this book to be factual, informative and helpful to anyone who is going through similar situations because (1) It helps you know that you are not alone and there are answers to the 'why' questions you ask yourself every day (2) If you lose your sense of humor about all this you really can't survive. It may end up being 'cop humor' about things only you think are funny but if you stop laughing you have lost. (3) REFERENCES and answers on where to get help. I knew the system and I was still floundering around. Finally, we never imagine that these things happen to people in mid-America or the suburbs of our childhood but the do. And, to know they do, to put it in the open makes it 'ok' for the rest of us to talk about it. BLESS THE AUTHOR!!! If you have a chance to go hear her speak, please do so.
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Summary: Rage of Elders
Review: The crux of this book seems to be a daughter, spoiled but verbally abused, and her never ending childhood. She is now well into adulthood - I say grow up! All parents make mistakes. The elderly father is a handful, but most people in their 80s are! Her style of writing can only be described as cutesy, deviating far off the subject with flashbacks, then back with silly references to song titles. This is a serious subject. The best part of the book is the reference section in the back, which gives helpful information and references.
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Summary: I WAS READING MY LIFE!
Review: My father was over medicated 2 1/2 years ago and Baker Acted (5150) three times last year. My mother has recently had both knees replaced and is waiting to have her hip replaced, so she is partially disabled. This is the only book on Alzheizmer's Disease I have read to date that provided helpful information for a combative patient that no Alzheimer facility will take when they are not on the proper medication. I ended up in the emergency room of the county hopsital begging for help. Like Jackie, I have learned from the school of hard knocks that the right doctors, medication and calm are the keys in total chaos. I have tried a few behavioral modifications of my own and plan on trying more of Jackie's in the future as they do help. The writer's caring and humorous style made this a book I didn't want to put down, and the source information is invaluable. I WISH I HAD FOUND THIS BOOK EARLIER!!!
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Summary: Jackie's Book "Elder Rage" Saved my Sanity!
Review: Thank you Jacqueline Marcell...For having the courage and intelligence to speak out and help those of us who have found ourselves unprepared victims of elder rage. I went to the book store requesting help with my mother who is suffering from dementia. Your book was the only thing they had in stock at Walden Books on the subject in Kansas City. I grabbed it and read it non-stop. I am now better informed and I understand what is happening, hence I can cope. At first it was such a shock...my mother showed progressive signs of forgetfulness, normal for aging I thought. But the day the sheriff called me and said mother accused me of stealing her social security check absolutely floored me, left me completely devastated! I was shocked & in total disbelief. My mother had always been my best friend & confident. My mother had simply forgotten cashing her check. I had to prove to the sheriff that she had signed and cashed the check herself, and the bank clerk showed her the statements where she had deposited it into her account. Next I was accused of stealing her car keys. Then eventually my sisters were likewise accused. I was lost. But your book clued me as to what symptoms I needed to report to my doctor so that he could finally make a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. I've been through so much, like the day mother called me at work and said someone stole her teeth. I could write my own book...but thanks to you, there is no need. I suffered much depression and embarrassment and pain before my mother was finally diagnosed. Now the neighbors, the sheriff, the whole neighborhood have all had been advised and they are all supportive and helpful. I am still grieving that I have lost my mother....but it helps to refer back to your book and to know I am not alone...there is help. Thank you. Your book came along just at the right time for me and no doubt, a whole bunch of other baby-boomers. May you be most prosperous. Diana Tyler
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Summary: Help, When You Need It Most.
Review: If you have a parent, family member, friend, or just know someone with confusion, senility, or Alzheimer's disease this book is a must. I have used it myself, for a brother and a friend. I have purchased it for several friends and their families and have given to others. ALL of them say the same thing, thank you. "You don't know how much this helped us," or "you don't know how many times we referred to the book."(By the way, I do know how much it helps.) It is clearly written from a lay person for lay persons. No other book that I know of will help you as much. It is written with great humor and greater understanding. Give your self a treat and maybe some help. BUY THIS BOOK, Oh, and READ IT.
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