I don't use the term 'role reversal' when talking about adult children and their aging parents. I prefer to say 'role shift.' —Missy Buchanan
Nashville, Tennessee (PRWEB) March 11, 2015
A celebration of the release of Missy Buchanan’s latest book, “Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Aging Parents Talk with God,” took place on February 21 at Juliette Fowler Communities in Dallas. Approximately 40 people attended the invitation-only event, sponsored by Upper Room Books, Juliette Fowler Communities, Real Jane.net, and Educational Opportunities Tours.
In “Voices of Aging,” Buchanan, a nationally recognized advocate for older adults, invites readers of two generations—adult children and their aging parents—to stand in each other’s shoes. In her collection of 20 meditations, Buchanan guides both generations to talk about the fears and frustrations of aging, as well as face the future with faith.
Missy Buchanan opened the book launch by reading an excerpt, “Stuff,” from her book. The reading presented adult children’s perspective on their parents’ accumulation of possessions and parents’ feelings about letting go of their sentimental mementos as well as reducing clutter.
Buchanan moderated a panel discussion with Jane McGarry, Dorothy Roberts, and two residents of Juliette Fowler Communities, Ed Gray and Ann Holmes. The discussion included a video appearance by Ron Corning, anchor of WFAA TV’s “Daybreak.” The panel addressed the challenges that arise for older adults and their families as they age.
Jane McGarry, a media consultant and award-winning TV personality, described how her mother died unexpectedly from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). McGarry worried that her dad would feel lost and lonely after her mother died. But she found a senior care residence and at age 83 her father is happily writing biographies of the members of his community.
Dorothy Roberts, a social worker, entrepreneur, and sister of Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, told about her experience as caregiver for her mom, Lucimarian Roberts. “It was an honor and a privilege to be with my mother through the winter of her life,” Roberts commented. Though she had always been involved in coordinating her mother’s care, she was constantly at her mom’s bedside during the last two weeks of her life.
Ron Corning, unable to attend the panel discussion because of his coverage of the Oscars, shared in a video clip how his mother suffering a massive head injury at age 39, when he was only 14. She recovered to an extent, but when she was 59 he noticed her lack of mobility and cognitive issues—and realized that he, an only child, needed to map out a plan for her long-term care plan. His mother is in a long-term care facility some distance away from him.
Ed Gray, age 97, and Ann Holmes, age 93, the two residents of Juliette Fowler Communities, participated enthusiastically in the panel discussion. When asked what is the hardest thing about getting older, Gray quipped, “I don’t get to play golf much!” Then he quickly added, “I don’t spend much time thinking about it, though, because my wife and her 5 children—we’ve gotten along beautifully. They are wonderful people.”
When Buchanan asked Ann Holmes how her relationship with her children changed as she got older, Holmes replied, “I’m not in charge any more. But there’s a freedom to being older and living here [in independent living at Juliette Fowler]. I can stay in bed until 9:00 if I want to, and I don’t ever have to eat oatmeal again! It’s wonderful to reach this stage of life and be totally happy.”
Missy Buchanan began writing devotions for older adults after her parents moved to an assisted living residence and she saw the need for spiritual encouragement for adults in their latter years. In addition to “Voices of Aging,” Buchanan has authored the best seller “Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body” and several other books for older adults.
Buchanan, from Rockwall, Texas, has appeared on several TV shows, including Good Morning America and The Harvest Show, and has been interviewed on radio programs. When she is not traveling to speaking engagements, she enjoys spending time with friends at three senior living facilities in the Dallas area.
Upper Room Books, the publisher of Missy Buchanan’s books, is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and provides resources to help people of all ages grow spiritually. For more information about “Voices of Aging” and other books by Missy Buchanan, visit Bookstore.UpperRoom.org, Books.UpperRoom.org, or MissyBuchanan.com.
