Let's Talk - The Care Years

A first-of-its kind in Canada, written by a Canadian, for Canadians!

A new all-inclusive 600+ page guidebook
based on one family's decade long journey

"A must-read for boomers with aging parents, soon-to-be retirees, and young seniors!"

"Long-term care, not a sexy, trendy issue in Canada
But when (not if) the time comes, hits a family like a tsunami!"

As a result of her family's roller-coaster experiences emotionally and organizationally and her shocking discoveries financially, Patty, an only child, chronicled her 10-year long journey with both her aging parents, in her detailed 600+ page guidebook, "Let's Talk-The Care-Years, Taking Care Of Our Parents/Planning For Ourselves" - a first-of-its-kind in Canada, written by a Canadian, for Canadians.

Patty learned her lessons the hard-way when her aging parents' health propelled her unprepared into the caregiver role and tells all, as she down-sized her career; went through scores of live-in, government, shift, and respite caregivers; cried buckets of tears; navigated our health system's maze of programs and services; agonized over her parents' unexpected physical and mental health conditions; faced startling care-related crises simultaneously during at-home and nursing home care; and constantly scrambled to pay the bills, month-by month...year after year.

Her newly released 600+ page guidebook -- described as "a must-read for boomers with aging parents, soon-to-be retirees, and young seniors in our country" -- provides practical, step-by-step suggestions on the key-care-related topics, which a daughter-son-spouse-senior may be tackling now - or will later have to handle during this stage in their own or loved one's lives. The key topics include how to: respond to emergencies; hire, adjust to, and work with a variety of caregivers; discover and apply for government assistance programs and services; care from a distance (when living out of town); deal with worrisome medications; make an-at-home living environment safe; decide on aging-in-place and nursing home care; put required and necessary documents in order; organize household budgets; ensure financial accountability; serve as an advocate at key times; balance work and a family with caregiving duties and obligations; say good-bye and go forwards when care ends; calculate the real costs of care; assess the funding options available; and review one's present attitudes and circumstances regarding one's own retirement and personal care required for living a long life.

The guide-book also offers numerous thought-provoking planning strategies for all age groups, insightful and entertaining anecdotes, current available resources, valuable health-related hints and encouraging messages for Canadian families.

After speaking with thousands of Canadians from Newfoundland to British Columbia, Patty is convinced that there is a colossal care-years information gap in our country, "To prepare for the challenges of this 21st Century ageing phenomenon, Canadians need to be aware of the enormous impacts of caring for their aging parents/in-laws, caring for an aging spouse, and finally, caring for oneself...when (not if) the time comes."

"Let me assure you, it is a big mistake to put this issue on the back-burner, to maintain an attitude that hinders you from addressing the topic and doing some talking and planning around it with your family...you owe it to yourself and to your loved ones -- guarantee your independence, enjoy peace of mind ...we have so much to gain by taking a bit of time to educate ourselves."