“Minding Our Elder”s is a portable support group. Grieving begins when adult children start to see their parents' decline. They need support through the whole process. “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories” keeps that support at the caregiver's fingertips. Three in the morning and you can't call a friend? No problem. The storytellers in the book understand. Read one story. Read two. Feel the comfort and support of others who have gotten through this. Tomorrow is another day. Also, the website, www.mindingourelders.com, offers many support links and agencies. Through my book, I offer emotional support. Through my newspaper column, I give practical advice and resources. Through this blog, I hope to do both.

I am a charter member of the World Wide Network On-line for Health and Elder Care Professionals, a member of AARP, CAPS (Children of Aging Parents), the National Caregivers Advisory Panel and the National Family Caregivers Association. I am also on the advisory board of RSVP (The Retired Senior Volunteer Program).

I am pleased and proud that “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories” is the being used in college classrooms to humanize the caregiving experience for social work and gerontology students. Caregiver’s support has come a long way since my twenty years of intense caregivng, but it still has a long way to go. I hope to be a small part of making that happen.

I am also overjoyed that my sons still live nearby. My oldest, Jason, works in the computer field and has married a wonderful young woman named Diane. He is a writer, as well. My youngest, Adam, is on his own creative quest as a band singer and lyricist. I am, indeed, blessed.