The Eldercare Handbook: Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions, by registered nurse and nursing home administrator Stella Mora Henry, focuses on professional care (assisted living and nursing homes) when home care is no longer an option. It is full of case studies and great advice.

Chapter 2, "Red Flags: Ten Signs To Watch For In Your Parents," is an excellent tool to help children make a plan and ideally involve their parents in the process. The author also walks the reader through the process of selecting a long-term care facility as well as all the concerns that come with that decision, including medical, financial, and legal matters. Most eye-opening for me was the need to do the research into assisted living and nursing homes NOW, because often a hospital will give as little as 24 hours notice that a patient will be discharged and cannot return home.

ELDERCARE HANDBOOK (THE)
Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions
Stella Mora Henry, R.N., with Ann Convery

In this comprehensive and accessible guide, long-term care expert Stella Henry helps readers navigate the daunting logistics and powerful emotions of making care decisions for an elderly parent or loved one. Drawing from her 36 years as a registered nurse and a nursing home administrator, as well as her experience caring for both her parents (both of whom suffered the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease), Henry tackles all the tough issues: spotting the warning signs of dementia, redefining sibling roles, doing a walk-through at an assisted living facility or nursing home, making the move, and coping with “take me home!” demands. She also explains the medical, legal, and insurance maze. In a time when almost 10 million Americans currently need long-term care, The Eldercare Handbook is an essential read.