|
 The writing processIt's odd, but I didn't realize until I was well into the book how personally qualified I was to write a book for midlife women caring for their aging parents. I knew I was professionally qualified and had well-formed ideas I wanted to share with others. But it took me a while to grasp that the journey I have been on over the past ten years with my mother has marked the natural stages of decline of an elderly woman with Alzheimer's Disease.
Each stage has involved me developing, on an as-need basis, management techniques to ensure that Mom received the right support. My mother's slow decline over such a long period of time has also meant an ongoing letting go and grieving on my part.
I feel I've been able to address, in a general way, many of the issues and concerns the midlife caregiver faces, regardless of her parent's particular health situation, and offer the benefit of my experience and information from my research. Also I've documented all the feelings that I've gone through over the past years.
Writing this book gave me an opportunity to share what I've learned with others, which was important to me. After all, that's why I'm in the field I'm in ... because I want to support and help other women. I realized as I went along that my writing was an emotional, psychological and spiritual catharsis for me.
I finished the book before I went away to Southeast Asia and that gave me time to complete my 'internal incubation period' while I was away. I now let it go and send it out to you, my readers, with my warm wishes and hopes that it will support and nurture you as you undertake or continue your journey as a midlife caregiver.
Warm wishes to all you midlife caregivers out there (all women really!)
Ellen Besso, Writer, Life Coach & MidLife Caregiver
|
|
Life Coach and Counsellor, Ellen Besso is caregiver to her mother and she shares with the reader her own personal & ongoing journey. She is unfailingly honest in her portrayal of herself as daughter & caregiver in midlife and she writes candidly about the joyful, frustrating and sometimes painful experiences.
"The Caregiver in Midlife" is an insightful book about who today's midlife woman really is. That perspective is skilfully intertwined with helping you become the person you were meant to be while coping with a role you were not prepared for. There are also exercises and worksheets designed to help change the stressful thinking about yourself and your life, and provide you with workable plans.
"The Caregiver in Midlife will not only enlighten, it will be an ongoing source of reference and guidance as you strive to understand and meet your changing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs at this time in your life."
Buy "The Caregiver in MidLife" now at the introductory price of $15.99!
|
