Moving On
A Practical Guide to Downsizing the Family Home
Linda Hetzer & Janet Hulstrand
Stewart, Tabori & Chang
2004
An essential “how to” book, with a special sense on how to preserve family relations and the dignity of all involved in the move of an aging parent; chuck full of lists and common sense approaches; a must-read for someone who as been asked to be an executor of a family estate.

The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care
Virgina Bell & David Troxel
Health Professions Press
1997
A must read for those facing Alzheimers; groundbreaking approach to “care-partnering” with the Alzheimer’s person and building on abilities still intact.  Consummately practical, helpful and easy to read—but based on best scientific data to date. 

How to Say It to Seniors
David Solie, M.S., P.A.
Prentice Hall Press
2004
Insightful and easy-to-read guide for working your family dynamic to “the positive,” by respecting the importance of legacy and control in your senior parent’s life.

When It’s Your Turn
Grown Children Caring for Aging Parents
A Guide to Finances, Health, and Housing
Susan Shelly
Barnes & Noble Books
2002
This author has written about various subjects related to people, their needs and limitations.  Her down-to-earth approach to family dynamic in the midst of declining parents is on-target, and can help many from making harmful mistakes.  Many “hands on” resources, such as lists, inventories and references.

Aging
The Fulfillment of Life
Henri J. M. Nouwen and Walter J. Gaffney
Image Books Doubleday
1990
Stories and thoughts for reflection on aging, designed to provide upbeat psychological comfort, from an important 20th Century author in spirituality—not a “religious” book, but a spiritual guide for people of all or no faith.

Aging as a Spiritual Journey
Eugene C. Bianchi
The Crossroad Publishing Company
1995
A helpful resource for intergenerational reading: read a chapter with an adult child or aging parent and discuss.  Bianchi provides cross-cultural and derives material from several religious traditions, but with no doctrinal overlay.

Generations
The History of America’s Future, 1584-2069
William Strauss and Neil Howe
Quill, William Morrow
1991
A fascinating description of generations of Americans across the centuries; for the history and social science enthusiast; important because many professionals in long term care base their understanding of intergenerational dynamic on what is in this book.  Well written, but not light reading.

Recessional
James A. Michener, James A.
Fawcett Books
1995
Easy to read and informative with the trademark Michener-driven plot underpinned with impeccable research, this  seminal work was one of the first to re-define retirement as a time for gaining new skills and attitudes--not only loss.  A book reviewer writes, “As the new young director of the Palms, a Florida retirement home, Andy Zorn suffers no shortage of loving support and wise advice from his "elders", a group of passionate, outspoken residents who refuse to accept the passive roles that society and family have handed them.”