The Fragile Years: Proven Strategies for the Care of Aging Loved Ones

by Amy Cameron O’Rourke

Inside intelligence you will need to make informed decisions, financially and compassionately, when caring for aging loved ones—whether they are living at home, in a care facility, or in the hospital or hospice care.

Do you have a parent or aging loved one nearing or in the most fragile years of life? Are you considering in-home care for them? Assisted living? A nursing home? Have they endured repeated hospitalizations, or are they facing major surgery? Are they refusing to give up their independence? Do they have adequate savings to pay for care? Are they getting the right Medicare, Medicaid, or VA benefits? This book by a veteran care management professional will help you secure the best possible care.

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2021

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I am glad to see this important topic getting more play, I wish the author had used her expertise to offer more nuts-and-bolts advice about navigating Medicaid and the financial challenges of eldercare.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enlightening book for anyone who has aging parents or who are yourself approaching the time when decisions about how you want to live out your "fragile years" need to be made. The Takeaway Tips at the end of each chapter are especially helpful. My husband and I live across the street from a single woman who has Alzheimer's. We have accepted responsibility for keeping her at home as long as possible and part of that process has been to engage Amy O'Rourke's company in providing guidance and caregivers for our friend. We have learned a lot and have depended heavily on Amy and her staff's guidance which has been compassionate and caring every step of the way. I highly recommend this book.

[Jessie Georges · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very insightful book after learning of my stepfather's Alzheimers diagnosis. I do wish it had delved more into how to access Medicaid after "spending down" his long-term care insurance.

The following particularly resonated with me:

"I once had a client say he wanted to hire me to look after his mother. Then he added, "But you should know she abandoned me when I was twelve years old. I havec no feelings of love for her. Maybe I should, but I don't. Still, I want to the the right thing for her as her son. This is why I'm hiring you."

I also liked page 130 - "your takeaway tips."

What I need now is more information about how to spend down my stepfather's insurance while tapping into Medicaid so my mom doesn't go broke providing his care.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a ton of incredibly useful information, and it's easy to read. Amy seems to really know her stuff, and truly respects and cares about older people. I can't recommend it highly enough for any older person and their adult children.