How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles
Author Suzanne Asaff Blankenship Makes Three Television Appearances and Two Book Signings November 8 and 9
Suzanne’s experience with eldercare came the hard way – by doing it.
Suzanne Asaff Blankenship presents tips and will share her key learnings, research and successful, unique approach to eldercare - all included in her wonderful book titled How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles on Wednesday, November 8 on FOX TV Channel 4 Good Day morning show after 8:00 a.m. and will also sign books at the Preston Road Pharmacy at 6901 Preston Road from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m that same date.
On Thursday, November 9, Suzanne will appear on WFAA Channel 8 Good Morning Texas between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. and that afternoon will sign books at the Highland Park Soda Foundation, located at 3229 Knox Street from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.
Saturday morning, November 11, catch her appearance on TXA Channel 21 on Plugged In To DFW at 6:30 a.m.
As Suzanne’s mother aged, she found herself more and more involved in her mother’s eldercare and soon, her in-laws’ as well. At every juncture of her mother’s and her in-laws’ eldercare journey, Suzanne has had to research, investigate and learn the best way to tackle each new topic.
A former corporate executive and founding partner of her own consulting group, Suzanne approached these eldercare issues with an organization she learned in her business career – evaluate, assess, develop a plan and implement. Using these four organizational steps, Suzanne found that she can be more effective in advocating and find alternatives to some less-preferred, but more obvious elder options.
Suzanne also found that she felt overwhelmed as each new topic emerged for her mother or her in-laws. Resources and help were hard to find or non-existent. As she faced learning curves that looked more like rocket launches than smooth, slightly elevated bell curves, Suzanne realized that other folks were probably feeling the same way. So, at the encouragement of her sister-in-law and brother, Suzanne wrote How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles. The book is sprinkled throughout with humorous quips, funny examples and tongue-in-cheek references to the stories that run throughout eldercare – because it’s imperative that you laugh along the way. Laughter and levity bring down the stress to what can be a very tough time for all involved.
All of the topics that Suzanne covers in her book have been topics that she has had to walk through in her mother’s or her in-laws’ care. From long-term care insurance and assisted living to selecting home health aides and hospice, Suzanne has approached each one with an organized, methodical approach. She found that she was able to spend more time on her mother’s care and well-being, if she was organized in her approach to the immediate or ongoing need. More organization and preparedness leads to less stress and frustration – leaving more time for the care and love she wants to give her elders.
Suzanne’s book is different from other books on this subject – hers is short, covering important topics (but without exhaustively covering them), and funny.
Eldercare is punctuated by emergencies. We don’t need a book on every emergency and we don’t have time to read tomes before we step in to help our elder folks. We need exactly what Suzanne offers – practical, short, full of resources – giving us a path through the journey and some laughs along the way.
Suzanne’ mom, Ruth, passed last year at 98 years young and her mother-in-law is 87. Her father-in-law passed away in 2012.
From Texas originally, Suzanne now calls Colorado home and travels back to Dallas frequently for television appearances, book signings and to visit family and friends. She believes in advocacy, the importance of family, and the need for balance in life. Humor is her favorite resource.
More information can be found at Suzanne’s website TheEldercareNavigator.com How To Take Care of Old People Without Losing Your Marbles can be found through Amazon.com, or in Dallas at Nicholson Hardie, Preston Road Pharmacy, Highland Park Soda Fountain on Knox, Logos Bookstore in Snider Plaza, and Lovers Lane Barber Shop.