By Anne Gerlach / Adult Services Librarian / Montgomery County Public Libraries / White Oak Library
While writing this in the dicey month of March (snow boots one day, shorts the next), I’m looking forward to the full-on spring of April and May, when winter’s grip finally relinquishes to nature’s renewal. Spring’s inspirational beauty makes it unsurprising that April would be National Poetry Month and that May would celebrate the increasing number of spring seasons one sees with Older Americans Month. May you stop and read a rhyme while you smell the roses — or read in the increasing sunlight hours some reflections on the golden years.
“How to Care for Aging Parents: A One-Stop Resource for All Your Medical, Financial, Housing and Emotional Issues”
By Virginia Morris
This multifaceted, stressful situation can easily overwhelm a caregiver. Award-winning author and medical journalist Virginia Morris brings the solution in this comprehensive, accessibly written and well-organized resource. The descriptive outline of the Table of Contents is an upfront guide to addressing the reader’s questions. Want to know how to handle all the paperwork? Try Chapter 15 — the Table of Contents reveals what aspects to paperwork are covered there. Ditto for chapters on legal issues, housing arrangements, role reversals etc. Other helpful tools include the “Useful Resources” section (25 pages of contact information and descriptions of various organizations) and the “Caregiver’s Organizer” sections, sharing forms for everything from a home safety checklist and a family caregiver contract to a medication log and end-of-life wishes form. Facing this part of reality is challenging. Virginia Morris’ book makes it much easier.
“Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You”
by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Before his famous Hamilton play, he wrote these rhymes to fans each day. Inspiring bits gathered into a book. Get uplifted and take a look!
“30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans”
by Karl Pillemer, Ph.D.
Qualitative studies gleaned time-tested insights from over a thousand of the wisest Americans from all walks of life from The Greatest Generation and beyond.
“Love Poetry Out Loud: 100 Passionate Poems to Stir the Heart”
Edited by Robert Alden Rubin
A selection of love poems arranged by type and state, accompanied by the editor’s insights.
