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The First Edition of Mom, Dad…Can We Talk? was a gratifying success. It sold over seven thousand copies, and reached one hundred thirty audiences of appreciative adult children across the country.
This Revised Edition builds on the success of the original, and adds value with guest contributors, new topics, new wisdoms, and a discussion guide.
Mom, Dad... Can We Talk?
More people are living longer, numerically and proportionally. More families are engaged in some level of eldercare. Adult children are challenged to balance the stresses and strains of work, parenting and family life with the changing needs of aging parents.
For many, these years of family life are characterized by fear and frustration. Fear of what’s going to happen next, fear of the “fall call”, fear of failure, fear of not doing the “right thing”; and, frustration with parents, siblings, and the system.
Caring for aging parents can be a draining, push-pull that taps and saps time, energy and resources; and, tests and taxes family relationships. However, done right, this stage of family life can be a time for thanksgiving and celebration.
Mom, Dad… Can We Talk? Helping Our Aging Parents with the Insight and Wisdom of Others is a highly valued resource for adult children seeking to “do the right thing” as they deal with the issues and concerns of aging parents, it offers understanding and support, encouragement, perspectives and insights, guidance, and lessons learned from the experiences of others.
The Author/Speaker
Dick Edwards has forty years of experience working closely with older adults and their families. For the last twenty years of his career Dick served as administrator of Charter House, a nationally recognized model of excellence in retirement living and long-term health care, affiliated with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. At Mayo Clinic, Dick conducted early research on the question: Who does better at the business of growing older?
For fourteen years, Dick served in the leadership of LeadingAGE Minnesota, a statewide association of not-for profit providers of services for older adults. He also served in the national leadership of LeadingAGE. His excellence in leadership and his knowledge concerning the care for older persons have been honored by Mayo Clinic and LeadingAGE, with their Life Time Achievement Award.
Dick earned his Baccalaureate from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and his Masters from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. He and his wife, Pat, live in the Chippewa Valley region of west central Wisconsin, and have three adult children and six grandchildren.
The Book
Mom, Dad…Can We Talk? Helping Our Aging Parents with the Insight and Wisdom of Others is a read-me-first for adult children dealing with the issues and concerns of aging parents. It is conversational, sometimes humorous and poignant, always encouraging and helpful. It is written for adult children to help them stop and think, to anticipate, communicate, navigate, and, yes, to celebrate this phase of family life and the parent-child relationship.
The book is rich with nearly 100 personal stories and quotes from adult children that help personalize and humanize support for elderly parents and the final stage of the parent-child relationship, to help ensure the best possible outcome – that of no regrets.
It includes practical advice for initiating caring conversations such as: “Mom, we’re worried about you living alone.” and “Mom, Dad, tell us what you want us to do.” and “Sister, I need your help with all this.” and “Dad has a lady friend!” Also, helpful hints on how to better understand and manage the Big D’s of aging parents: dementia, drinking, depression and driving.
In his Revised Edition, Dick is joined by Guest Contributors to address important new topics: how to help grandchildren understand the aging process and maintain their special relationship with the aging grandparent; how to help families with the unique concerns of aging parents who have a special needs adult child; and, how the sudden intrusion of an external reality, like a pandemic, complicates and brings even greater challenges to our care for aging parents.
Also new is a user-friendly discussion guide for book study clubs, adult learning classes and informal discussions among friends.
For generous discounts on books contact Laura at laurah@gocwpub.com
What they say about the book…
The Presentation/Video
Before the pandemic, Dick presented the wisdoms and guidance of Mom, Dad…Can We Talk? to over 130 in-person audiences of appreciative adult children across the country; to senior housing and services providers, and to professionals serving older persons and their families, like wealth managers, attorneys and in-home care providers,
Since in person presentations are limited due pandemic precautions, Dick has produced a NEW Video recording of his presentation titled Family Conversations for Success as Our Parents Age. The video is based on the 2021 Revised Edition of Mom, Dad…Can We Talk? which includes new topics, new perspectives and wisdom, a discussion guide and practical helps for families.
Dick is available via Zoom or a similar platform for discussion and Q&A at the conclusion of the recorded presentation. He can also work with a hosting organization to tailor a Zoom presentation of Family Conversations for Success as Our Parents Age.
Both the book and the presentation continue to be effective tools for marketing to prospects and their families, for community outreach and positioning, for board and staff development, and for employee assistance.
Contact Dick Edwards for information about a Zoom Presentation.
Video
Select Pricing
Full Length Version/60 Minutes
- $149.00 – Buy today
Full Length in Three Parts
- $149.00 – Buy today
(The Purchaser owns the video and can download and deploy for their business purposes in perpetuity. The video has legal copyright protections and may not be deployed, in part or in whole, for monetary gain without the written consent of Mr. Edwards.)
Contact
Inquire about a speaking engagement..