The first thing is to stop panicking and realize that you do have to do something. There are many reasons why Mom cannot be left alone now: she could fall; she goes out and gets lost; she forgets her medications; she doesn’t eat; she can’t walk by herself; she has suddenly become bedridden. The list goes on. You must act. Realize that whatever you decide on, it will probably be unpopular with Mom and you will be the one taking the flack. Take a deep breath. If you are lucky enough to have siblings who will contribute that’s great and makes it a little easier.

It is a good idea to research your options before you jump into anything. The options are not that many: you can hire a full-time caregiver (bear in mind that there will be times when the caregiver won’t be there and you will have to take over); Mom can move in with you (this option puts a strain on you and your family and, as in the previous option, you can’t be there all the time); you can choose a residential care facility (most unpopular with Mom but could be the best choice. Could be expensive). Most of all remember whatever you choose is not written in stone. If it isn’t working out, you can change it.

By all means ask around. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Seek professional advice. There are many agencies which will help you locate a facility or in-home care. At all costs remember that you know Mom best and DO NOT be railroaded into a choice that your gut tells you is wrong. All the credentials in the world do not replace your relationship and history with Mom. Listen to your heart and you will instinctively do the right thing.

Do not feel guilty. Aging and all the ramifications come along for everyone. Your job is to see to it that Mom is cared for and is safe. That’s all you can realistically do. Take another deep breath and make the decision. Monitor the situation constantly and you will find that your restless worrying nights get fewer. You have been a responsible child and that is all you can do. Just remember, no matter what you do, Mom will complain about it. That’s how it is.

This is a difficult time for everyone. It is hard watching a parent age and deteriorate. The rolls change and suddenly you are the responsible one. There is a lot of frustration brought on by the situation and this causes stress on the family. Your parent will act out of fear because it is a scary time of life. Losing independence and the resulting change of lifestyle can manifest as anger and resentment or the opposite, withdrawal. You are not alone. There are many other people in your situation – right now!

I am the author of “Finding the Bloom of the Cactus Generation: Improving the Quality of Life for Seniors”. This book is a personal story about aging and care. If you are stuck, I am available for one-on-one coaching sessions. It won’t take many and you will feel better. Please visit my website: www.cactusgeneration.com . Download the resource section to locate local agencies. You can also download the book or order a printed copy.

In “Finding The Bloom Of The Cactus Generation: Improving The Quality Of Life For Seniors”, author Maggie Walters draws upon her many years of training, experience, and expertise working with very elderly patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities (most of whom suffered from serious mental and/or physical ailments) to offer nursing home staff and concerned family members with an instructive introduction to how to best maximize the quality of a resident’s physical and mental well being through gentle massage, patient listening, and a variety of alternative therapies. Now that the baby boom generation is approaching retirement, the need for the kind of insights and understanding that Maggie Walters has to offer makes “Finding The Bloom Of The Cactus Generation” exceptionally important and timely reading — especially for nursing home and assisted living facility caregivers, as well as the non-specialist general reader with concerns over how best to help an aging parent enjoy life to the best extent possible for them.

Remember to touch your AD sufferer. Human touch is a powerful means of communication and support. Stay in touch! Stay connected!

For information on pricing and orders contact Kandi Miller at Life Success Publishing.
tel: 800-972-0534
email: kandi_miller@lifesuccesspublishing.com

Assignment Desk, Lifestyle & Health Editors, Book Reviewers.
For Immediate Release
February 19th, 2007
The Cactus Generation ~ Improving the Quality of Life for Seniors
Pre-released book available to Media

Alzheimer’s patients may not remember others by sight or voice but they may be able to distinguish loved ones through touch.

Author Margaret Walters will release her book supporting a form of alternative therapy for the elderly at the Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging in Chicago on March 7th – 10th. It is currently available to media only.

What happens to our seniors when they can no longer care for themselves? Often they end up in long term care facilities and we suddenly feel that we have lost them. Margaret Walters, author of The Cactus Generation, tells the true story of the effects of aging and how a family reacts. Too many elderly people are dumped into long term care facilities and forgotten. She will open your eyes and your heart. Readers will learn about communicating with their own aged loved ones through touch.

Margaret Walters works with seniors who are in long term care facilities. Her background and family experiences led her into the realm of using human touch as means of communication and healing. Margaret will be sharing her journey in a presentation at the ASA and NOCA Conference in March when she will address long term care for the elderly and speak about her book.

Walter’s book will be available through amazon.com or at www.cactusgeneration.com for $17.95 after the release or at the event for $14.95.

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For more information, a free copy of the book or for interviews contact:
Erin Woodward, Literary Publicist
LifeSuccess Publishing
905.640.6149
Erin_Woodward@lifesuccesspublishing.com

Based on a true story, The Cactus Generation traces the life of a woman, Virginia, from a solitary childhood through a challenging family crisis to her first experience with touch and massage. Watching her parents age and die and dealing with the disability of a child led her to a fascination with a deeper human connection.

Cactus Generation touches many topics around aging and care, including the effects and fears of aging, long-term care and Alzheimer’s Disease. On her journey, Virginia observed the benefits of caring touch to the elderly and the appreciation shown by those vanishing seniors. Her understanding of energy led to her discovery that communication was possible, even with those who were unable to use conventional methods.

In view of the increasing elderly population and the struggles and decisions faced by their children, Cactus Generation is a timely statement addressing a need in the senior segment. Swept away and forgotten when they can no longer care for themselves, seniors can become lonely and irritable. Their lives can be considerably enhanced through compassionate connection with appropriate touch.

The Cactus Generation will be released in January, 2007. Visit cactusgeneration.com for more information and to order the book.

Author Maggie Walters writes. . .

I have been working with seniors in nursing homes for the past few years. When I began in that setting, massage schools did not offer guidelines for working with the frail elderly population and I found that I had to adapt nearly all the techniques I had learned. My own body mechanics also had to be closely monitored because my clients were in unusual positions. Many of them were in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and were unable to response physically or verbally. When I talked with other therapists I found that some were working with seniors but they were invariably in senior centers and had some function. I found no one who was going into locked units and trying to bring some relief to people who were often left there for many years. I have written Cactus Generation with the intent of helping families see how they can continue to communicate with their lost loved ones.

Many families face the situation of moving an elderly relative out of their home and into a place where they will receive assistance and care. This is a difficult time and a lot of hard decisions have to be made. The idea of institutional care can be daunting to the entire family. When is it necessary? How can we determine what is the best quality of life during their last years?

The “Cactus Generation” explores the world of long term care for the elderly through the eyes of a therapist and her personal experiences. Readers will glimpse ways of communicating with their own elderly loved ones.