Take My Hand Again

Book excerpt: The guide the author wishes she had when she took on a caretaker role.
By 2020, the senior population in this country will number over 115 million. Despite this persistent “graying” of America, few adult children feel prepared to take on the role of caregiver for aging parents. Those who discover they must now intervene and care for an elder they love are often at a loss. Trying to navigate the transition is like being dropped in a foreign country with no map, no GPS, and no translator—and acting as tour guide.
Nancy Parker Brummett knows what they’re going through and has the means to help. She shares her own experience of caring for a mother and mother-in-law in assisted living, as well as lessons learned through study of the academic, social, and political issues involved. Each chapter begins with relevant Scripture, but the useful information here is not limited to people of faith.
Take My Hand Again offers readers the warm feeling of having someone they trust stepping up to hold their hand and share encouragement and hope. Children of the aging don’t need a degree in gerontology; they just need for someone to ask the pertinent questions and give them an overview of the pros and cons of common options so they can make informed decisions. Whether they’ve already had their wake-up call or just want to be prepared for what’s to come, Brummett’s sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant book has just what they’re looking for.