Praise for Stuck in the Middle
"In the middle — many baby boomers find themselves caring for three generations — their own children, themselves, and their aging elderly parents. Stuck in the Middle: Shared Stories and Tips for Caregiving Your Elderly Parents is a compilation of stories of baby boomer parents dealing with all three of the generations under their one roof. Brilliantly written and compiled heartwarming tales that will touch readers who can relate with these problems and stories. Also contains numerous and invaluable tips on caring for ones elderly parents to make ones relations with them as smooth as possible. Stuck in the Middle: Shared Stories and Tips for Caregiving Your Elderly Parents is highly recommended for community library health and memoir shelves alike."
- Midwest Book Review
"Barbara McVicker's Stuck in the Middle is the most heart warming, heart wrenching, down to earth guidebook for those of us trying to stay afloat in the sandwich generation boat. These are murky waters and difficult times for many of us: caring for aging parents, even as we are still involved in our children's and grandchildren's lives. McVicker's insight and first-hand experience is simply invaluable. Read this book for yourself, for your parents and for the sake of your children. You will be glad you did!"
- Pam Spence, editor Ohio Jewish Chronicle
"Professionals can guide care but they provide only a fraction of the effort involved in working with patients. Hospice has long recognized the importance of the family and volunteers in providing care to patients facing life-limiting illnesses. We are delighted that those integral parts of the health care system are receiving increased recognition and more attention is being paid to their role and to their needs. Stuck in the Middle promises to be an excellent resource for individuals who have to shoulder this burden."
- J. Donald Schumacher, Psy.D., President, National Hospice Foundation
"I was crying even before I finished reading the introduction. This is such a difficult topic for my patients to talk about. Every day I see the extraordinary efforts of adult kids on behalf of their parents. Stuck in the Middle is certainly an important book."
- Dr. Mimi Lane, Department of Neurology, Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital
"Caregiving is one of the critical issues of our time. With the growing elderly population and rising medical costs, it is important to have a plan in place to look after our parents and loved ones. Stuck in the Middle not only examines the problems with current care giving, but also provides solutions and tips for caregivers and those seeking to help friends and relatives."
- Millard Fuller, Founder, Habitat for Humanity International
"Barbara and Darby are right on target for the present struggle of balancing career and family responsibilities. They know is this not going away soon and address the difficulty head on. You can be sure this work will go to the core of one of the domestic concerns of our day. And it will provide wisdom and much needed solace."
- Jerry L. Schmalenberger, Retired President, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, California; ELCA Global Mission Volunteer; Affiliate Faculty, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Hong Kong
"Stuck in the Middle addresses a subject that is near and dear to my heart, and to my exhausted spirit. It gives me great comfort to know that I'm not the only one dealing with this amazing honor... this tremendous responsibility... this mind-boggling job. God bless Barbara and Darby for sharing their stories and their spirit-reviving tips."
- Karen Taylor-Good, Grammy-nominated songwriter, Two-time SESAC "Songwriter of the Year"
"The engaging and touching stories in Stuck in the Middle make you feel you are not alone. The stories lovingly get you unstuck from the wrenching emotions and stresses of a parent aging and dying. It's a great prescription for not only dealing with it but also growing from the experience."
- Michael Brickey, Ph.D., America's Anti-Aging Psychologist and author of Defy Aging
"Being a downsizing specialist and working with clients who have the responsibility to take care of their parents and their children, we see first hand how overwhelming the entire process is. This trend is directly affecting the Baby Boomer generation and Stuck in the Middle addresses everything someone needs to know on how to get through it. It will be a great resource for our clients."
- Janine E. Aquino, President, Estate Group of Ohio, Ltd.
"As our loved ones grow older, it is very difficult for them to give up that which is comfortable and familiar even when it is time for them to do so. It is just as difficult for their children to help them make the critical decisions that will help determine their quality of life in their remaining years. Stuck in the Middle will be a real help in understanding the issues and some practical ways to deal with them. I only wish it had been available to me several years ago when I traveled the path of caregiver to a dear aunt as she struggled with the aging process."
- Wesley M. Mayer, President, Expert Insight, LLC.
"Few individuals have the patience to get through the maze of issues surrounding caretaking the elderly. Stuck in the Middle provides the type of solutions for others in order that they can be successful in their efforts. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing the lessons you learned."
- Robert E. Donald, President, The Donald Group
"I read your book in two days — I guess because it is relevant to my situation. It is resourceful and straight-forward. It left me feeling more appreciative that my dad didn't have to suffer more, and my mom can focus more on herself."
- Sarah Danforth
"The stories in Stuck in the Middle are poignant and powerful. McVicker's honesty about dealing with her own parents lends the book credibility. It will hit home for anyone who has ever cared for aging relatives and will provide a blueprint for the rest of us who probably will in the future."
- Liz Hock, Editor, Smith Mountain Laker
"As a physician who helps families deal with the issue of increased needs with aging and as a son who was "stuck in the middle" myself, I am pleased to recommend this much needed resource. The sharing of stories of those who have helped to care for aging parents and the valuable resources listed are well worth the purchase price."
- Daniel P. Edney, M.D., On Call Radio Online
"The real-life testimonies in this book provide a rare glimpse into the personal and inter-personal dynamics in every family and every care-giving situation. These often-unaddressed human elements set the tone for the entire care-giving experience and are every bit as challenging to navigate as the more recognized practical aspects and stages of care giving. Thankfully this book gives important and reassuring insights into the entire care-giving journey — from practical tips on such matters as legal preparations to staying emotionally and physically healthy as caregiver."
- Nancy Petro
"This is the best resource I've found for caregivers. It contains real stories, beautifully told and no holds barred, of caregivers and their experiences, plus practical resources for those caring for elderly parents. Anyone reading it will be comforted in the knowledge that they are not alone, and are better prepared to tackle whatever comes next."
- Pat Snyder
"Stuck in the Middle is a must have, an authentic book filled with incise stories of caregivers who struggle to remain sane while juggling their lives and caring for an elderly parent. I cried, I commiserated, and I laughed out loud. I felt their pain and their triumphs; and — most importantly — the stories are a beacon, calling all caregivers to a bright ray of light."
- J. Forester
"The stories in Stuck in the Middle ring true and give me hope. At my stage in life, my greatest concern is becoming a burden on my daughters. Thank you for your great list of DOs and DON'Ts for those of us who will soon be receiving care. This book was so meaningful to me that I gave a copy to a dear friend who has been trying to "hold it together" while caring for her 98 year-old mother. In her 'thank you' note she wrote, 'I have read Stuck in the Middle and, whaddaya know, there are others out there just like me — some are much worse off — I feel fortunate. I appreciate so much your thinking of me with the book — it is comforting to read how others have coped and get the little hints and tidbits that they offer.'"
- Wendy
"Your book is definitely a must read for everyone who has elderly parents, even if they're not "stuck in the middle."
- Rebecca Jackson, Assistant Editor/Staff Writer, Smith Mountain Eagle