Ending Elder Abuse: A Family Guide

Rating:
Summary: Critically important, highly recommended reading
Review: At the age of 91, Diane Sandell's mother died after having been severely beaten in a California nursing home. This horrific event compelled Diane to found Network Outreach--Better Living for the Elderly (NOBLE). Collaborating with Lois Hudson, Sandell then wrote Ending Elder Abuse: A Family Guide, an important work that directly confronts the inexcusably pervasive maltreatment of our elder generation at home or in sheltered care. This critically important and immensely helpful volume provides the reader with a practical, creative approach to caring for their aging parents as well as offering solutions to professional caregivers and a realistic strategy for legislators and political activists seeking to eliminate this distressing problem that will increasingly affect us all as our population ages and medical advances extend our life spans. Critically important, highly recommended reading for anyone with a loved one in assisted living or nursing home care.

Rating:
Summary: Acknowledging the abuse of the elderly.
Review: Diane Sandell and Lois Hudson's book "Ending Elder Abuse," is an excellent guide for those who are initially dealing with the care of an elderly loved one. At the same time, there is much that can be learned from the book by those of us who have been in the position to provide care for an elderly loved one.

We can no longer deny that elder abuse occurs and probably more often than we know. The book is a beautiful tribute to a much-loved mother who sadly experienced first-hand this abuse. The authors beautifully illustrate that each of us can make a difference. They give us hope that elder abuse can be stopped.

Rating:
Summary: Acknowledging the abuse of the elderly.
Review: Diane Sandell and Lois Hudson's book "Ending Elder Abuse," is an excellent guide for those who are initially dealing with the care of an elderly loved one. At the same time, there is much that can be learned from the book by those of us who have been in the position to provide care for an elderly loved one.

We can no longer deny that elder abuse occurs and probably more often than we know. The book is a beautiful tribute to a much-loved mother who sadly experienced first-hand this abuse. The authors beautifully illustrate that each of us can make a difference. They give us hope that elder abuse can be stopped.

Rating:
Summary: Ending Elder Abuse
Review: Having friends who struggle as members of the sandwich generation, that large percentage of the American population dealing with both adult children living at home and elderly parents, I highly recommend this book. The story line tugs on the emotions; the language is for the lay person; the suggestions and guidelines are for anyone who finds themselves dealing with the elderly.

Particularly useful are the suggestions on how to handle the frustrations. Just to know that,"Wow, I'm not the only one that feels that way," gives hope and comfort in an otherwise seemingly hopeless situation.

These authors, speaking from their combined voices of more than 30 years of experience with their own elderly, sometimes helpless parents, bring credibility and hope to the pages.

This is a must read for anyone whose parent is losing his or her independence. Who to talk to? What to do? Where to go for help? When to act? Why is this happening? How to deal with the emotions? These and many more questions are answered and issues addressed.

Rating:
Summary: A Book Everybody In America MUST READ!!!
Review: I found this book to be an invaluable resource for everyone who is, has been or will be faced with caring for a loved one. And that's just about all of us. The authors take the helplessness and fear out of a difficult, heartwrenching task and lead us through it sanely and compassionately. I had no idea how huge was the problem of "elder abuse". Not only was this book's information well written but Bessie's story, which read like a novel, touched me deeply. I could see the frustration, the scenes were alive and when she died, I cried and cried. As one who has had a grandmother in such a home and who is now taking care of my invalid husband in my home, I found the part about caregivers particularly helpful. I applaud the authors and suggest this book to everyone. In fact, it should be in every doctor's office in the country. THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable, Substantial Contribution
Review: No reader can finish this book without having a profound awareness of the reality and prevalence of elder abuse as well as what can be done about it.

The appendices are perhaps the most important part. They obviously result from in-depth and shocking personal and shared experiences.

The very detailed guides to choosing and monitoring a care facility are invaluable. Although most references to government and voluntary resources are from California, they provide clues on what to look for in the readers' state and local community.

ENDING ELDER ABUSE is a very substantial contribution to the literature in this often avoided or ignored problem.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Information for Everyone.
Review: This book offers a beautiful family tribute as well as much needed information for a society that tends to forget about the elders in our homes, community, country and world. These people are our parents, grandparents, educators, mentors, teachers etc.. And they must not be forgotten. This book should be on every reading list for all health care professionals as well as anyone caring for an aging loved one or may be faced with that possibility. Please recommend this book highly!!! It is a must read!!!!!!