June 2, 2000

Best-selling author Claire Berman (below) spoke about issues related to taking care of aging parents May 24 at the MGH. Berman is the author of Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents: How to Help, How to Survive.

Berman said at the event that she had written several books about various topics, such as step-parenting and divorce, but the subject of caregiving for an elderly parent had more meaning to her. "When my mother became sick, it became personal," she said. "As caregivers, we all have different stories, but we all have commonalties."

Berman shared with the audience the journey that led to her writing the book, detailing her own mother's diagnosis with cancer and later with Alzheimer's, as well as the challenges that she and her siblings faced in caring for their mother. Berman also shared advice about how caregivers can take care of themselves while caring for their parent.

This presentation was sponsored by the MGH Senior Health Family-Caregiver Support Program.