Age in Place – The Book

Age in Place – A Guide to Modifying, Organizing and Decluttering Mom and Dad’s Home  (Keep Them Safe – Keep YOU Sane) was created to help seniors remain in their own homes in the face of declining physical and/or cognitive abilities.  As routine daily tasks, those which were always taken for granted, become harder to accomplish, the seniors need a plan of action so they can safely and successfully remain in their homes.  The challenge is that many seniors will not acknowledge that they even need help.

“I’m not leaving this house until they take me out horizontally.” These were the words spoken by one of my patients as she greeted me at the door when I arrived to complete an assessment of her home. She was echoing the sentiments, according to AARP, of the more than “90% of seniors who prefer to age in place; staying in their own homes, continuing to make independent choices and maintaining control over their lives.” The problem is these homes have often become difficult to negotiate and manage. Despite the hurdles, our senior parents have expressed a desire to stay in their homes no matter the challenges of doing so. And the poor kids, knowing mom has trouble getting in and out of the shower, knowing dad is unsteady on the stairs, have had nowhere to turn.  Until now.

Age in Place addresses these new challenges to make life at home safer, more manageable and easier to navigate.  It provides a step by step, room by room guide to simple and often immediate modifications.  The answer to “what do we do” with mom and dad requires that everyone tries to see the situation through their loved ones’ eyes, with respect, and that everyone gives a little. Age in Place will show you how to do exactly that, reducing everyone’s stress level thereby leading to a resolution that makes everyone happy.

The solution is to meet in the middle. Sometimes we lose sight of the impact our parents have had on our entire life.  We may have taught them how to use a smart phone or Skype with their grandchildren, but let’s not forget that they taught us hygiene, manners, and basic life skills.  Your best chance for success is to work cooperatively with mom and dad, not to lose your patience and to always treat them with the respect they deserve. It’s a win-win.

They’ll be safe. You’ll be sane.

Features include:

• Part one joins Lynda on a guided walking tour starting with the exterior through the entranceway and into all the living areas of the home.  Along the way you will learn how best to make modifications to maximize ease with mobility and overall safety.
• At the end of each chapter are “Hacks for Health and Home” – Helpful tips garnered from years of providing Occupational Therapy in the home.
• Part two teaches the family how best to organize their efforts to care for mom and dad. This includes how to detect that they need help, strategies to encourage them to accept the help, methods to create the caregiving team and ways to organize the tasks that need to be done.
• Throughout the book are photographs of actual modifications.
• Part three includes recommendations for the best home medical equipment, where to obtain services and additional helpful resources.
• ​Check lists for vital documents for easy retrieval ​in case of an emergency.
• Fill-in-the blank sheets at the end of the book so the reader can conduct their own assessment of the home with highlighted potential trouble spots and tips on modifications.

 

See what they are saying about Age in Place

AMAZING. That is how I would describe Age in Place in one word! — NetGalley Reader

Our parents are living longer — and as their children, we’re often tasked with making sure they can continue to live as independently and safely as possible. Age In Place takes the stress out of facing this challenge. It provides a helpful, compassionate roadmap for this new stage of caring for elderly parents, making sure everyone knows what to do. Step by step, it’s a book that offers tremendous peace of mind.  —Blogcritics

Oh, I wish that I had had this book when I was downsizing my parents from a big house to a big apartment but I am SO HAPPY that I have it to take them from an apartment to a retirement home! — NetGalley Reader

Excellent examples, creative and kind solutions to baffling situations fill the book and make it one that demonstrated how to realize the heartfelt desire to age in place. — Goodreads

 

Press Reviews

In her new book, Age In Place – A Guide to Modifying, Organizing, and Decluttering Mom and Dad’s Home, author Lynda Shrager, an occupational therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist, has provided a handbook for safeguarding Mom and Dad’s home, all the while keeping family relationships intact. Parents may feel their opinions aren’t given any consideration if family members swoop in and start callously making changes to their home and routines. The best chance for success, she says, is to work cooperatively, not lose your patience and always treat Mom and Dad with the respect they deserve. — US Daily*Review

Our parents are living longer – and as their children, we’re often tasked with making sure they can continue to live as independently and safely as possible. Age In Place takes the stress out of facing this challenge. It provides a helpful, compassionate roadmap for this new stage of caring for elderly parents, making sure everyone knows what to do. Step by step, it’s a book that offers tremendous peace of mind.
— Patricia Gale for the Seattle Post Intelligencer

 

Expert Reviews

With both wit and wisdom Lynda imparts invaluable strategies and tips to help seniors safely remain in their homes. – Michael Leonard Wolff, M.D., F.A.C.P., Program Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, Albany Medical College; Professor, Ringel Institute of Gerontology; Chief Physician, Continuing Care, St. Peter’s Health Partners, Albany, New York

Age in Place is a godsend for family caregivers wondering if their aging parents are safe in their home. Filled with practical tips and easily implemented strategies, Lynda Shrager’s engaging style makes this book a pleasure to read. Give this book to every person you know who has an aging parent! – Amy S. D’Aprix, MSW, Ph.D., Life Transition Expert, Internationally renowned expert on lifestyle issues related to aging

Lynda Shrager shares her extensive knowledge, pragmatic know-how and empathic perspective about one of the most challenging questions many adult children need to ask themselves when it comes to their aging parents…”What do we do now?”.  When a parent’s health fails them but their resistance to move doesn’t, Lynda helps the reader understand his or her parent’s perspective. She also skillfully assists her readers to manage this challenging and often emotionally draining issue, while making sure the aging parent continues to feel loved, respected and safe. It’s a must-read for anyone facing this overwhelming yet very common situation. – Dr. Robi Ludwig, TV host/personality, author, and psychotherapist

 

Order Age in Place by clicking on the following links: