Role Reversal - by Iris Waichler Msw Lcsw (Paperback)

About the Book

A comprehensive guide for the 45 million people currently taking care of family members who need assistance because of health-related problems.

Book Synopsis

Designed to help caregivers understand how to cope with and overcome the overwhelming challenges that arise while caregiving for a loved one--especially an aging parent--Role Reversal is a comprehensive guide to navigating the enormous daily challenges faced by caregivers. In these pages, Waichler blends her personal experience caring for her beloved father with her forty years of expertise as a patient advocate and clinical social worker. The result is a book offering invaluable information on topics ranging from estate planning to grief and anger to building a support network and finding the right level of care for your elderly parent.

Review Quotes

2017 Florida Book Festival: Runner Up Award, Non-Fiction category 2017 Indie Excellence Book Award: Finalist 2016 USA Best Book Awards: Self-Help: Relationships, Finalist 2016 Best Indie Book Awards: Self Help: Relationships, Finalist 2017 Living Now Awards: Silver Award, Caregiving category 2017 Honorable Mention Readers Favorite Award 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in How to/Home/Garden (Non-fiction)
"With its useful resources and warm professionalism, Role Reversal is an essential read for adults thrust into the role of caregiver for their parents . . . Waichler's personal approach to the subject is humanizing and contextualizes the plethora of useful resources she packs in. She emphasizes that the dignity of aging parents should be recognized and understood, as should the fine line between maintaining dignity and doing what is best as a caregiver." --Foreword Reviews
"Although the book doesn't delve deeply into any single topic, it's the ideal way to get acquainted with the myriad of issues that can arise for the children of senior parents, whether that means determining whether one's parents can still remain in their homes or taking steps to prevent identity theft. By offering so much advice about managing the difficult and even heartbreaking situations the author experienced, the book offers the reader a sense of speaking to a well-informed and personally invested friend rather than an impersonal medical professional. --Publishers Weekly
"[Role Reversal] is an excellent guide for all caretakers... it is also a good book to have in one's personal collection so that one can be organized when it comes to the needs of their aged parents." --Reader's Favorite
"In her book, Role Reversal, Iris Waichler characterizes the gut-wrenching ups and downs of her father's life and the evolution of their family. Iris eloquently weaves her father's story through his voice and hers walking the reader through the difficult steps of being a parent and taking care of her parents' needs as they age. She includes invaluable resources and how-to guides for every step of the aging process and the end of life decision making dance. Iris articulates the complexities of co-ordinating care in a way that simplifies what is important and what to pay attention to with each new step and decision in the process. In a meaningful way, Iris touches the reader's heart by sharing her father's story very close to the bone and exposing a helpful path for many who are facing similar situations. She helps demystify a difficult topic that is many times clouded by grief. She enables a safe place for the reader to engage and grow through love." --Rebecca Whitehad Munn, author of The Gift of Goodbye: A Story of Agape Love
"Iris Waichler delicately describes the nature of life struggle as we get older. She not only describes how to be an advocate for your parents but also fulfilling that role as daughter. This book is sure to help in the understanding of words like 'hospice' and 'Alzheimer's.' It addresses living wills, estate planning, driving concerns, adult day enhancement, nursing homes, and just what to expect during the mortal nature of living. More than anything though, it reflects on decline such that dignity may be preserved. This book is certain to lift your spirits, raise your intellect, and contribute to the purpose behind giving back to what parents give their children." --Steven Atkinson PA-C, MS Geriatric Internal Medicine, Adjunct Faculty-University of Utah

"Role Reversal does a beautiful job of intertwining personal experience with professional guidance. Her professional background working with older adults, combined with her long and loving relationship with her father, make her uniquely qualified to provide insight and support. With every page her father comes alive as the spirited, driven, and devoted person that he was. His story is an inspiration. This highly readable book will leave you feeling like you know Ms. Waichler and her father well. It will also gift you with resources and guidance as you engage with your parent in later life." --Susan Alterman, Psy/D, licensed clinical psychologist
"Iris Waichler did a beautiful job covering the various aspects and challenges related to becoming a caregiver. From the emotional and financial stresses, to the decision-making process and paperwork, caregiving can be overwhelming. This book takes a unique approach by sharing one man's incredible story while simultaneously preparing readers for the unexpected and offering resources and guidance to ease the transition." --B. Popper, Account Director

About the Author

Iris Waichler, MSW, LCSW has been a licensed clinical social worker and patient advocate for over forty years. She worked as a medical social worker in three major teaching hospitals. This is her third book; her last book, Riding the Infertility Roller Coaster, won four book awards, including "Best Book of the Year" from the National Association of Parenting Publications (NAPPA) and a Mom's Choice Award. She has also been a Foreword Magazine and USABookNews finalist for best book of the year. Waichler has led workshops and done group, family, and individual counseling with people struggling with a variety of medical problems. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Steve, and her daughter, Grace.