Assisted Living: What You Need To Know Before You Make A Decision - Will I Be Useful Asks Bestselling Author Frances Fuller

Best-selling author Frances Fuller offers an insider's view of assisted living and a unique outlook on aging, based on her own experience. Her insights are penetrating and deal with issues that many seniors and their families are concerned about.

Best-selling author Frances Fuller offers an insider's view of assisted living and a unique outlook on aging, based on her own experience. Her insights are penetrating and deal with issues that many seniors and their families are concerned about.

Most of us look forward with great anticipation to the day when we can finally retire. We will be free to sit back, put our feet up and - do what? Many of us have defined our identity by the work we do. What happens when that is gone?

One of the biggest fears that people have about growing older is the fear of becoming obsolete. This fear is not unfounded, as society often places a high value on productivity and usefulness, and older individuals may feel as though they are no longer able to contribute in meaningful ways. Award-winning writer Frances Fuller, author of the bestselling book on aging, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old', recently addressed this issue in a post on her site titled, 'Will I Still Be Useful'. In that post she wrote in part:

Debbie, a neighbor of mine fell the other day, in front of her own door, with her little dog on a leash. Joyce, who lives just around the corner, heard the crash and the barking and ran to investigate. Seeing the gash on Debbie’s head, Joyce pushed an emergency button and help was on the way.

That reminds me of something important to discuss.

Elderly Americans in retirement homes are people who have worked hard most of their lives. They have run institutions, built houses, written books, nursed the sick, kept the peace, governed cities, fought wars, cooked meals, repaired what was broken, made music, led choirs, preached sermons, taught algebra, pulled teeth, etc., etc., all while raising children and sending them to college.

They don’t know much about idleness.

Thinking about going to a retirement home, they sometimes wonder: what will I do there all day every day? Will I be of any use to anybody?

There is a bit of ambiguity in their feelings. They don’t want to keep office hours or hang out a shingle, but neither are they ready to forget what they know or stop being citizens and neighbors.

The most interesting thing I have discovered about retirement homes is how many of the good things that happen there are created or proposed and even executed by the residents. And the best administration, at least one that the residents really like, is one that listens to the residents and enables their ideas.

Here are some of the things I know that the residents of one retirement home do to contribute to the good life there:

Welcome newcomers and help them become part of the community

Read to a resident who is nearly blind

Visit the sick

Organize and lead a book club

Keep the library growing and organized

Teach other residents to read music

Teach people to make better use of their computers and phones

Make beautiful and useful objects from the wood of a tree that fell

Paint pictures that hang in the halls

Share food they made in their kitchen

Comfort the bereaved

Buy gifts for poor people in the city

Collect school supplies for disadvantaged children in the area

Plant gardens and share the vegetables

Serve as officers of resident organizations

Sing in the community choir

Accept leadership positions in a local church

Lead games: charades, password, Bingo

Shop for someone who is not able to walk through a store

Walk the dog of another resident who is ill

The possibilities seem endless. After all, a home for the elderly is a neighborhood, in fact, a potentially needy neighborhood, a community of people whose common sharing makes life better for all.

The full text of the blog is available at https://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com/will-i-still-be-useful/ .

Frances Fuller's book is unique among the many books on aging, because it is personal, while most such books are written from an academic point of view. Most are penned by sociologists, doctors, gerontologists, even the CEO of AARP, and one by a Catholic nun, Joan Chittister. Chittister's book, 'The Gift of Years' is beautifully written, focusing on spiritual values and finding meaning in life. Chittister admits in the preface that she was only 70, which is the front edge of aging, and her book is somewhat abstract.

Atul Gawande’s book, 'On Being Mortal', relates medicine and old age, It enjoys high Amazon rankings, in the category of “the sociology of aging.” It contains a great deal of valuable scientific information and shows understanding of the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Frances Fuller’s book, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', is an up-close and very personal encounter with aging. It is an uncontrived and firsthand look at her own daily experiences: wrestling with physical limitations, grief, loneliness, fears, and the decisions she has made about how to cope with these and keep becoming a better person. She faces regrets and the need to forgive herself and others and is determined to live in a way that blesses her children and grandchildren.

Frances deals with many common, universal but sometimes private issues in an open, conversational tone. Her confessions and decisions invite self-searching and discussion. She tries to make sense of her own past and to understand her responsibility to younger generations. In the process she shares her daily life, enriched with memories from her fascinating experiences. Her stories and her voice — fresh, honest, irresistible — keep the reader eager for more. The end result is a book that helps create a detailed map through the challenging terrain of old age.

The result of this intimate narrative is that readers laugh, cry and identify with her mistakes and problems. Reviewers have called the book, “unique,” “honest,” “witty,” “poignant,” “challenging” and “life-changing.”

For these reasons it is a book unlike any other book on aging you will ever read. The book can serve as a primer on what lies in store for all of us, from someone who is working through many of these issues. While the book is a perfect fit for book clubs, there are many other individuals and groups who could benefit from the information and ideas in the book:

Those approaching retirement
People who are currently retired
Children of aging parents
Those who have lost a spouse
Retirement community discussion groups
Counselors
Educators
Life coaches
Church groups (men and women)

and a host of others. For group discussions, Fuller has made a set of discussion questions available at her website at http://www.FrancesFullerAuthor.com.

Readers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon review stated, "I find myself thinking,'I need to read this again and take notes!' It’s full of wisdom, humor, and grace. I also have committed to rereading it annually - it’s that important!" Another said, "There is valuable life experience in this book. Helping Yourself Grow Old is truly is a book for all ages, and one not to be missed." Another stated, "Beautifully written book telling timeless truths, for both the old and the young. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and learn wisdom from someone who has lived so much life."

Frances' prior work, 'In Borrowed Houses', has taken three industry awards and has achieved Bestseller status. Frances Fuller was the Grand Prize winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards. It received the bronze medal for memoir in the Illumination Book Awards in 2014. Northern California Publishers and Authors annually gives awards for literature produced by residents of the area. In 2015 'In Borrowed Houses' received two prizes: Best Non-fiction and Best Cover.

Critics have also praised ‘In Borrowed Houses.’ A judge in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards called 'In Borrowed Houses' “ . . a well written book full of compassion . . . a captivating story . . . ”. Another reviewer described the book as “Wise, honest, sensitive, funny, heart-wrenching . . .”. Colin Chapman, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut said, “ . . . western Christians and Middle Eastern Christians need to read this story…full of remarkable perceptiveness and genuine hope.”

Frances has shared stories about her life in an interview with Women Over 70, and a recording is available on their Facebook page.

Frances Fuller is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at frances0516@att.net. The full text of her latest article is available at her website. Fuller's book is available at Amazon and other book retailers. A free ebook sample from 'In Borrowed Houses' is available at http://www.payhip.com/francesfuller. Frances Fuller also blogs on other issues relating to the Middle East on her website at http://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com.

About Frances Fuller:

Frances Fuller spent thirty years in the violent Middle East and for twenty-four of those years was the director of a Christian publishing program with offices in Lebanon. While leading the development of spiritual books in the Arabic language, she survived long years of civil war and invasions.

Contact:

Frances Fuller
frances0516@att.net
http://www.francesfullerauthor.com

Leia Mais…

Assisted Living: What You Need To Know Before You Make A Decision - Will There Be Skilled Nursing Asks Bestselling Author Frances Fuller

Best-selling author Frances Fuller offers an insider's view of assisted living and a unique outlook on aging, based on her own experience. Her insights are penetrating and deal with issues that many seniors and their families are concerned about.

There are many reasons why having skilled nursing available in an assisted living facility is vitally important. Some are obvious and others are not so obvious. These include day to day care, chronic disease management, emergency response situations, rehabilitation plans, medication managements and peace of mind for family members. Frances Fuller, author of the bestselling book on aging, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', addressed this issue in an article posted on her site. In that article, she wrote in part:

This is a question to raise when you are choosing a place to spend your final years. In fact, the question is fundamental to the issue of a secure future.

Living in a retirement community will not cure your diabetes or your osteoarthritis. It will not even guarantee that you will not fall getting out of the shower.

A stranger wrote an Amazon review of my book, In Borrowed Houses, and spoke about thought-provoking passages that had turned her attention to the international problem of homelessness. Then she said: “On a personal level, I discovered just how borrowed a home is, so this book spoke to me on many levels.”

That little note made me happy, because the story in my book does make the point in many different ways that a house, any house, no matter how we got it, no matter how much we love it or how much we have invested in it, can be lost. In fact, it will be lost, because sooner or later, in one way or another, we must leave it. This includes our house, or an apartment in a retirement community.

It happens regularly in the building in which I live. People move away, unable anymore to deal with the requirements of Independent Living. This is not a tragedy, though, because the system here gives us the right to move over to Assisted Living when we need more help or even to Skilled Nursing if we require medical attention. In fact, the administration will take responsibility for moving us.

I bring it up now because people ask a lot of questions about homes for the elderly. They should. Moving for the last time (you hope) is a big deal. It probably requires you to leave a place you love, so you want the new place to be one you really like. A lot of your questions are probably related to that. You wonder if you can still live the way you want to live. And you want to feel secure.

A part of security is simply knowing that you will stay there. You will neither want to leave nor need to leave. This is why one of the questions you need to ask relates to that part of the home where you will go when you are confined to bed, either by illness or imminent death. You also may be sent there for intense, daily rehab.

But many elder homes lack such a department. When residents get ill, they often go first to a hospital, where they are diagnosed and receive emergency treatment. When they are ready to be dismissed but still need treatment and rehabilitation, or if their case is terminal, they will likely be sent to a nursing home. If the place they have chosen to live includes a nursing department, they will be going “home.”

Though they will not be in their own apartment, they will be in a part of the community they know, another wing of the building they live in, or across the lawn, in a place where they have visited friends. They may know someone who is there in the memory care section.

But the great practical value is that they probably have already paid for it. Some homes work this way. You pay a price, based on the size of your apartment in Independent Living, but when you move, of necessity, to Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing, you may owe nothing more. It is covered by what you pay for rent. This is usually called a Life Plan.

Of course, you must be careful to verify this, but often the apparently expensive place seems so because you have literally paid for whatever accommodations you need. You can move to Assisted Living and then to Skilled Nursing without your rent going up.

Most of the costs you will occur in Skilled Nursing are medical insurance issues. They may be covered by policies you own.

When I was looking for a place to spend the final years of my life, I turned down a place that I basically liked, except for the nursing ward, which was shabby, sad and depressing. Because I hoped aloud never to be there, my daughter said, “Then you never will,” and scratched the establishment off our list.

The full text of the blog is available at https://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com/is-there-skilled-nursing/.

Frances Fuller's book is unique among the many books on aging, because it is personal, while most such books are written from an academic point of view. Most are penned by sociologists, doctors, gerontologists, even the CEO of AARP, and one by a Catholic nun, Joan Chittister. Chittister's book, 'The Gift of Years' is beautifully written, focusing on spiritual values and finding meaning in life. Chittister admits in the preface that she was only 70, which is the front edge of aging, and her book is somewhat abstract.

Atul Gawande’s book, 'On Being Mortal', relates medicine and old age, It enjoys high Amazon rankings, in the category of “the sociology of aging.” It contains a great deal of valuable scientific information and shows understanding of the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Frances Fuller’s book, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', is an up-close and very personal encounter with aging. It is an uncontrived and firsthand look at her own daily experiences: wrestling with physical limitations, grief, loneliness, fears, and the decisions she has made about how to cope with these and keep becoming a better person. She faces regrets and the need to forgive herself and others and is determined to live in a way that blesses her children and grandchildren.

Frances deals with many common, universal but sometimes private issues in an open, conversational tone. Her confessions and decisions invite self-searching and discussion. She tries to make sense of her own past and to understand her responsibility to younger generations. In the process she shares her daily life, enriched with memories from her fascinating experiences. Her stories and her voice — fresh, honest, irresistible — keep the reader eager for more. The end result is a book that helps create a detailed map through the challenging terrain of old age.

The result of this intimate narrative is that readers laugh, cry and identify with her mistakes and problems. Reviewers have called the book, “unique,” “honest,” “witty,” “poignant,” “challenging” and “life-changing.”

For these reasons it is a book unlike any other book on aging you will ever read. The book can serve as a primer on what lies in store for all of us, from someone who is working through many of these issues. While the book is a perfect fit for book clubs, there are many other individuals and groups who could benefit from the information and ideas in the book:

Those approaching retirement
People who are currently retired
Children of aging parents
Those who have lost a spouse
Retirement community discussion groups
Counselors
Educators
Life coaches
Church groups (men and women)

and a host of others. For group discussions, Fuller has made a set of discussion questions available at her website at http://www.FrancesFullerAuthor.com.

Readers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon review stated, "I find myself thinking,'I need to read this again and take notes!' It’s full of wisdom, humor, and grace. I also have committed to rereading it annually - it’s that important!" Another said, "There is valuable life experience in this book. Helping Yourself Grow Old is truly is a book for all ages, and one not to be missed." Another stated, "Beautifully written book telling timeless truths, for both the old and the young. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and learn wisdom from someone who has lived so much life."

Frances' prior work, 'In Borrowed Houses', has taken three industry awards and has achieved Bestseller status. Frances Fuller was the Grand Prize winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards. It received the bronze medal for memoir in the Illumination Book Awards in 2014. Northern California Publishers and Authors annually gives awards for literature produced by residents of the area. In 2015 'In Borrowed Houses' received two prizes: Best Non-fiction and Best Cover.

Critics have also praised ‘In Borrowed Houses.’ A judge in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards called 'In Borrowed Houses' “ . . a well written book full of compassion . . . a captivating story . . . ”. Another reviewer described the book as “Wise, honest, sensitive, funny, heart-wrenching . . .”. Colin Chapman, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut said, “ . . . western Christians and Middle Eastern Christians need to read this story…full of remarkable perceptiveness and genuine hope.”

Frances has shared stories about her life in an interview with Women Over 70, and a recording is available on their Facebook page.

Frances Fuller is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at frances0516@att.net. The full text of her latest article is available at her website. Fuller's book is available at Amazon and other book retailers. A free ebook sample from 'In Borrowed Houses' is available at http://www.payhip.com/francesfuller. Frances Fuller also blogs on other issues relating to the Middle East on her website at http://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com.

About Frances Fuller:

Frances Fuller spent thirty years in the violent Middle East and for twenty-four of those years was the director of a Christian publishing program with offices in Lebanon. While leading the development of spiritual books in the Arabic language, she survived long years of civil war and invasions.

Contact:

Frances Fuller
frances0516@att.net
http://www.francesfullerauthor.com

Leia Mais…

Things You Might Not Know About The Situation In The Middle East By Frances Fuller, Bestselling Author Of In Borrowed Houses

Best-selling author Frances Fuller lived and worked in the Middle East for 30 years. She offers an insider's view of the situation there and provides some surprising insights that traditional media does not cover.

The Middle East grabs headline after headline today, across all forms of American media. While we might believe we get the whole story here in the US, we do not. Bestselling author Frances Fuller lived and worked in Jordan and Lebanon for 30 years. She recently posted an article titled "Things You Might Not Know" on her website at https://FrancesFullerAuthor.com. The article offers some real surprises that sidestep the propaganda, media hype and hearsay. In that article she wrote in part:

Lately I have been asked by several different groups to talk about what is happening in the Middle East. Their reason has been that they don’t understand; they feel ignorant. So when I talk I emphasize the things I suspect they don’t know.

Some of you may not know that I lived and worked in the Middle East for 30 years, in Jordan and in Lebanon. In both places I knew a lot of Palestinians, most living in refugee camps, all having been driven from their homes by the state of Israel (or born in the refugee camp.)

You may not know that I am 94 years old with a long memory. I remember that, before Israel existed, the European Zionists (who had been severely persecuted and obviously needed a place to go) were very good at propaganda. They called Palestine “A land without a people for a people without a land.” This was a lie.

The average American is surprised to know, and I am sad to say, that the first terrorists in the modern M.E. were Zionists. One of these groups, the Irgun, blew up Jerusalem’s King David Hotel in July, 1946, destroying the headquarters of the British Mandate and killing more than 90 people. A year later gangs such as the Irgun and the Hagana destroyed the village of Deir Yassin, killed the inhabitants and ordered other villagers to leave or else. In this way hundreds of thousands of Palestinians became refugees

Here is another thing that most Americans don’t seem to know: Within the West Bank, which has been designated for the Palestinians under international agreements, there are 132 Jewish “settlements” officially recognized by Israel, plus 121 unofficial communities called “outposts.” (The “settlements” are, in fact, planned, well-built cities.) 450,000 people live in these communities. In addition, there are 25 communes, called kibbutzim, with populations of 125,000.

Altogether, that’s at least 575,000 Israeli Jews living in the space allotted to Arabs, a space smaller than the state of Delaware. And they do it with the encouragement and support of their government. Obviously, all of this is a way of taking back Palestinian land and making impossible the creation of a Palestinian state.

The Israelis have built a fine highway system to connect all of these Jewish communities to one another. These highways have no “on” or “off” ramps in the Palestinian communities or in the open farmland. Anyway, Palestinian-owned vehicles, which have green license plates, are not permitted on these roads. Jewish vehicles have yellow plates.

The other piece of land assigned to Palestine is this little strip called Gaza, which is approximately 38 miles away, across Israeli territory. All movement in and out of Gaza is controlled by Israel as well as a lot of their food and fuel. Residents of Gaza are allowed to travel to the West Bank only in case of exceptional need, such as urgent medical care. And it is possible to travel from the West Bank to Gaza only if the traveler pledges to permanently relocate to Gaza.

Can you even imagine turning these scattered pieces of land into a cohesive state?

But I have one more shocker for you: Under Israeli law any Palestinian can be arrested without cause and imprisoned for an indefinite length of time without trial. Called “administrative detention,” this law is used to keep thousands of men and teen-aged boys in prison on the claim that they might do something.

The full text of the piece is available at https://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com/things-you-might-not-know/

Frances Fuller’s book, In Borrowed Houses is an award-winning memoir covering eight of the 30 years she lived in the Middle East. These were years of war, involving Palestinian militias and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Her second memoir, Helping Yourself Grow Old,Things I Said to Myself When I Was Almost 90 is unique among the many books on aging, because it is personal, while most such books are written from an academic point of view. Most are penned by sociologists, doctors, gerontologists, even the CEO of AARP, and one by a Catholic nun, Joan Chittister. Chittister's book, 'The Gift of Years' is beautifully written, focusing on spiritual values and finding meaning in life. Chittister admits in the preface that she was only 70, which is the front edge of aging, and her book is somewhat abstract.

Atul Gawande’s book, 'On Being Mortal', relates medicine and old age, It enjoys high Amazon rankings, in the category of “the sociology of aging.” It contains a great deal of valuable scientific information and shows understanding of the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Fuller’s book, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', is an up-close and very personal encounter with aging. It is an uncontrived and firsthand look at her own daily experiences: wrestling with physical limitations, grief, loneliness, fears, and the decisions she has made about how to cope with these and keep becoming a better person. She faces regrets and the need to forgive herself and others and is determined to live in a way that blesses her children and grandchildren.

Frances deals with many common, universal but sometimes private issues in an open, conversational tone. Her confessions and decisions invite self-searching and discussion. She tries to make sense of her own past and to understand her responsibility to younger generations. In the process she shares her daily life, enriched with memories from her fascinating experiences. Her stories and her voice — fresh, honest, irresistible — keep the reader eager for more. The end result is a book that helps create a detailed map through the challenging terrain of old age.

The result of this intimate narrative is that readers laugh, cry and identify with her mistakes and problems. Reviewers have called the book, “unique,” “honest,” “witty,” “poignant,” “challenging” and “life-changing.”

For these reasons it is a book unlike any other book on aging you will ever read. The book can serve as a primer on what lies in store for all of us, from someone who is working through many of these issues. While the book is a perfect fit for book clubs, there are many other individuals and groups who could benefit from the information and ideas in the book:

Those approaching retirement
People who are currently retired
Children of aging parents
Those who have lost a spouse
Retirement community discussion groups
Counselors
Educators
Life coaches
Church groups (men and women)

and a host of others. For group discussions, Fuller has made a set of discussion questions available at her website at http://www.FrancesFullerAuthor.com.

Readers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon review stated, "I find myself thinking,'I need to read this again and take notes!' It’s full of wisdom, humor, and grace. I also have committed to rereading it annually - it’s that important!" Another said, "There is valuable life experience in this book. Helping Yourself Grow Old is truly is a book for all ages, and one not to be missed." Another stated, "Beautifully written book telling timeless truths, for both the old and the young. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and learn wisdom from someone who has lived so much life."

Frances' prior work, 'In Borrowed Houses', has taken three industry awards and has achieved Bestseller status. Frances Fuller was the Grand Prize winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards. It received the bronze medal for memoir in the Illumination Book Awards in 2014. Northern California Publishers and Authors annually gives awards for literature produced by residents of the area. In 2015 'In Borrowed Houses' received two prizes: Best Non-fiction and Best Cover.

Critics have also praised ‘In Borrowed Houses.’ A judge in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards called 'In Borrowed Houses' “ . . a well written book full of compassion . . . a captivating story . . . ”. Another reviewer described the book as “Wise, honest, sensitive, funny, heart-wrenching . . .”. Colin Chapman, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut said, “ . . . western Christians and Middle Eastern Christians need to read this story…full of remarkable perceptiveness and genuine hope.”

Frances has shared stories about her life in an interview with Women Over 70, and a recording is available on their Facebook page.

Frances Fuller is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at frances0516@att.net. The full text of her latest article is available at her website. Fuller's book is available at Amazon and other book retailers. A free ebook sample from 'In Borrowed Houses' is available at http://www.payhip.com/francesfuller. Frances Fuller also blogs on other issues relating to the Middle East on her website at http://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com.

About Frances Fuller:

Frances Fuller spent thirty years in the violent Middle East and for twenty-four of those years was the director of a Christian publishing program with offices in Lebanon. While leading the development of spiritual books in the Arabic language, she survived long years of civil war and invasions.

Contact:

Frances Fuller

frances0516@att.net

http://www.francesfullerauthor.com

Leia Mais…

Assisted Living: What You Need To Know Before You Make A Decision - A Humorous Look At Forgetting Offered By Frances Fuller, Bestselling Author Of Helping Yourself Grow Old

Best-selling author Frances Fuller offers an insider's view of assisted living and a unique outlook on aging, based on her own experience. Her insights are penetrating and deal with issues that many seniors and their families are concerned about.

According to recent research, humor can be a memory booster. That's good news for all of us, as none of us can escape aging. According to an article detailing a study on the effects of humor on short-term memory published on PubMed, "findings suggest that humor can have clinical benefits and rehabilitative implications and can be implemented in programs that support whole-person wellness for older adults". Another study on the same site concluded, "Because older adults can experience age-related memory deficits, complementary, enjoyable, and beneficial humor therapies should be implemented for them".

Frances Fuller, award-winning author of the bestselling book on aging, "Helping Yourself Grow Old," recently posted an article titled, "Are You Forgetting Things?" in which she took a somewhat humorous look at forgetting. In that article, she said in part:

Forgetting?

Here in the retirement home, who isn't forgetting?

A few weeks ago, I forgot to go to my book club. I love book club. The prevalence of active book clubs was one of the reasons I wanted to live here. I can't believe I forgot book club. I think I just forgot that it was Thursday already.

This afternoon, while looking for something else (having forgotten where I put it), I found some notes I made attributing them to someone named Bill Murphy. I don't mean to plagiarize your ideas, Bill, but I assume you meant for them to be passed on.

Bill said, according to my notes, that maybe we need better lighting. He thinks, it seems, that we remember better things we saw in the light. Or, more basically, maybe that light just livens up our brains. I believe I do feel a little more dull in the dark.

Bill said also that we should play a lot of games, such as crossword puzzles. I assume he would approve of my learning in the past year to work Sudoku puzzles. I once thought, just because it was numbers, that I couldn't, but I have moved past easy and medium, and I am into hard puzzles, where I stumble and use my eraser rather frequently, but I know there are still harder ones coming.

Then he says some mysterious things, this anonymous friend, Bill. He says to try intermittent fasting. My previous efforts in that discipline have been outstanding failures. I do have an excuse, though. Last week I had a low blood sugar crisis just at the end of my supper and had to be rescued by a waitress who came running with the cheesecake. I am not sure what Bill expects fasting to do for my memory, and I can only promise to remember to eat on time and more carefully.

Then he suggests that we try walking backward . . .

The full text of the piece is available at https://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com/are-you-forgetting-things/.

Frances Fuller's book is unique among the many books on aging, because it is personal, while most such books are written from an academic point of view. Most are penned by sociologists, doctors, gerontologists, even the CEO of AARP, and one by a Catholic nun, Joan Chittister. Chittister's book, 'The Gift of Years' is beautifully written, focusing on spiritual values and finding meaning in life. Chittister admits in the preface that she was only 70, which is the front edge of aging, and her book is somewhat abstract.

Atul Gawande’s book, 'On Being Mortal', relates medicine and old age, It enjoys high Amazon rankings, in the category of “the sociology of aging.” It contains a great deal of valuable scientific information and shows understanding of the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Frances Fuller’s book, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', is an up-close and very personal encounter with aging. It is an uncontrived and firsthand look at her own daily experiences: wrestling with physical limitations, grief, loneliness, fears, and the decisions she has made about how to cope with these and keep becoming a better person. She faces regrets and the need to forgive herself and others and is determined to live in a way that blesses her children and grandchildren.

Frances deals with many common, universal but sometimes private issues in an open, conversational tone. Her confessions and decisions invite self-searching and discussion. She tries to make sense of her own past and to understand her responsibility to younger generations. In the process she shares her daily life, enriched with memories from her fascinating experiences. Her stories and her voice — fresh, honest, irresistible — keep the reader eager for more. The end result is a book that helps create a detailed map through the challenging terrain of old age.

The result of this intimate narrative is that readers laugh, cry and identify with her mistakes and problems. Reviewers have called the book, “unique,” “honest,” “witty,” “poignant,” “challenging” and “life-changing.”

For these reasons it is a book unlike any other book on aging you will ever read. The book can serve as a primer on what lies in store for all of us, from someone who is working through many of these issues. While the book is a perfect fit for book clubs, there are many other individuals and groups who could benefit from the information and ideas in the book:

Those approaching retirement
People who are currently retired
Children of aging parents
Those who have lost a spouse
Retirement community discussion groups
Counselors
Educators
Life coaches
Church groups (men and women)

and a host of others. For group discussions, Fuller has made a set of discussion questions available at her website at http://www.FrancesFullerAuthor.com.

Readers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon review stated, "I find myself thinking,'I need to read this again and take notes!' It’s full of wisdom, humor, and grace. I also have committed to rereading it annually - it’s that important!" Another said, "There is valuable life experience in this book. Helping Yourself Grow Old is truly is a book for all ages, and one not to be missed." Another stated, "Beautifully written book telling timeless truths, for both the old and the young. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and learn wisdom from someone who has lived so much life."

Frances' prior work, 'In Borrowed Houses', has taken three industry awards and has achieved Bestseller status. Frances Fuller was the Grand Prize winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards. It received the bronze medal for memoir in the Illumination Book Awards in 2014. Northern California Publishers and Authors annually gives awards for literature produced by residents of the area. In 2015 'In Borrowed Houses' received two prizes: Best Non-fiction and Best Cover.

Critics have also praised ‘In Borrowed Houses.’ A judge in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards called 'In Borrowed Houses' “ . . a well written book full of compassion . . . a captivating story . . . ”. Another reviewer described the book as “Wise, honest, sensitive, funny, heart-wrenching . . .”. Colin Chapman, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut said, “ . . . western Christians and Middle Eastern Christians need to read this story…full of remarkable perceptiveness and genuine hope.”

Frances has shared stories about her life in an interview with Women Over 70, and a recording is available on their Facebook page.

Frances Fuller is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at frances0516@att.net. The full text of her latest article is available at her website. Fuller's book is available at Amazon and other book retailers. A free ebook sample from 'In Borrowed Houses' is available at http://www.payhip.com/francesfuller. Frances Fuller also blogs on other issues relating to the Middle East on her website at http://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com.

About Frances Fuller:

Frances Fuller spent thirty years in the violent Middle East and for twenty-four of those years was the director of a Christian publishing program with offices in Lebanon. While leading the development of spiritual books in the Arabic language, she survived long years of civil war and invasions.

Contact:

Frances Fuller

frances0516@att.net

http://www.francesfullerauthor.com

Leia Mais…

Assisted Living: What You Need To Know Before You Make A Decision - What Christmas Is Like In An Assisted Care Facility By Frances Fuller, Bestselling Author Of Helping Yourself Grow Old

Best-selling author Frances Fuller offers an insider's view of assisted living and a unique outlook on aging, based on her own experience. Her insights are penetrating and deal with issues that many seniors and their families are concerned about.

For many of us, Christmas is a special time of year, rich in traditions that emphasize family, community, and joyous gatherings. It has been said that "there is no place like home for the Holidays". What if "home" is an assisted care facility? Frances Fuller, award winning author of her best selling book on aging, addressed this issue in a recent post on her website titled, "What Christmas Is Like in an Assisted Care Home". In that article, she wrote in part:

In another country I visited a home for the sick and elderly, just a few days before Christmas. In the lobby where I got permission to go into the ward there was Christmas music, familiar carols.

Then in the large room where more than a dozen women lay in hospital beds, there was no sound except that of someone groaning and two nurses talking to patients. Finding the woman I had come to visit, I greeted her with a smile and “Merry Christmas,” or actually the equivalent in her language.

To my surprise she burst into tears and said, “I didn’t know it was Christmas.”

I tell you this sad story only to say, this is not likely to happen in an assisted care community in the USA.

In the place from which I write, it is Christmas on every hall: the nursing ward, memory care, assisted care, independent living. These are some noticeable signs of the season:

Tree trimming parties

Decorated trees everywhere

Sounds of Christmas music in the lobby

“Christmas crafts” on activity schedules

A college choir coming to perform for residents

An unusual number of visitors, family and friends who miss us at home, especially at Christmas

An unusual number of absent residents, people who are spending the holiday elsewhere with sons and daughters

Packages arriving, cards in mailboxes

Bus tours to see the Christmas lights

Buses leaving for a concert in a city auditorium or a church

Christmas movies in the community room

Resident choirs warming up for a performance

All this and a collection to reward our workers, the people who cook and clean and lift and protect and fix what is broken and come when called. And another for elderly folks we don’t even know, with inadequate incomes, living somewhere else in subsidized housing. Because, even here, especially here, we must not forget that we are privileged to live in a country where some economic provision has been made for the time when we can no longer work eight hours a day. At the same time some of us have earned more or been luckier than others, and we know that many aging people cannot afford a Christmas tree, much less a ticket to the symphony. So even in a retirement community we have opportunities to make a small sacrifice for someone else. We can celebrate Christmas by giving.

Will all of this be happening in every retirement/ assisted living community? Probably not. And maybe you think you don’t even care. But you do have to look before you jump. So, visit every department of a home you are considering, not just living spaces, but the game room, the library, the gym, the auditorium, thinking about things you would like to do. And see the nursing wing, a place where (face it) you may one day have to spend Christmas.

Ask questions, any question, all of your questions. Read the daily schedules, the activities list, the menus. Talk to the people who live there. Along with all the more practical issues, ask what happens on holidays.

The full text of the piece is available at https://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com/what-christmas-is-like-in-an-assisted-care-home/.

Frances Fuller's book is unique among the many books on aging, because it is personal, while most such books are written from an academic point of view. Most are penned by sociologists, doctors, gerontologists, even the CEO of AARP, and one by a Catholic nun, Joan Chittister. Chittister's book, 'The Gift of Years' is beautifully written, focusing on spiritual values and finding meaning in life. Chittister admits in the preface that she was only 70, which is the front edge of aging, and her book is somewhat abstract.

Atul Gawande’s book, 'On Being Mortal', relates medicine and old age, It enjoys high Amazon rankings, in the category of “the sociology of aging.” It contains a great deal of valuable scientific information and shows understanding of the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Frances Fuller’s book, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', is an up-close and very personal encounter with aging. It is an uncontrived and firsthand look at her own daily experiences: wrestling with physical limitations, grief, loneliness, fears, and the decisions she has made about how to cope with these and keep becoming a better person. She faces regrets and the need to forgive herself and others and is determined to live in a way that blesses her children and grandchildren.

Frances deals with many common, universal but sometimes private issues in an open, conversational tone. Her confessions and decisions invite self-searching and discussion. She tries to make sense of her own past and to understand her responsibility to younger generations. In the process she shares her daily life, enriched with memories from her fascinating experiences. Her stories and her voice — fresh, honest, irresistible — keep the reader eager for more. The end result is a book that helps create a detailed map through the challenging terrain of old age.

The result of this intimate narrative is that readers laugh, cry and identify with her mistakes and problems. Reviewers have called the book, “unique,” “honest,” “witty,” “poignant,” “challenging” and “life-changing.”

For these reasons it is a book unlike any other book on aging you will ever read. The book can serve as a primer on what lies in store for all of us, from someone who is working through many of these issues. While the book is a perfect fit for book clubs, there are many other individuals and groups who could benefit from the information and ideas in the book:

Those approaching retirement
People who are currently retired
Children of aging parents
Those who have lost a spouse
Retirement community discussion groups
Counselors
Educators
Life coaches
Church groups (men and women)

and a host of others. For group discussions, Fuller has made a set of discussion questions available at her website at http://www.FrancesFullerAuthor.com.

Readers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon review stated, "I find myself thinking,'I need to read this again and take notes!' It’s full of wisdom, humor, and grace. I also have committed to rereading it annually - it’s that important!" Another said, "There is valuable life experience in this book. Helping Yourself Grow Old is truly is a book for all ages, and one not to be missed." Another stated, "Beautifully written book telling timeless truths, for both the old and the young. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and learn wisdom from someone who has lived so much life."

Frances' prior work, 'In Borrowed Houses', has taken three industry awards and has achieved Bestseller status. Frances Fuller was the Grand Prize winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards. It received the bronze medal for memoir in the Illumination Book Awards in 2014. Northern California Publishers and Authors annually gives awards for literature produced by residents of the area. In 2015 'In Borrowed Houses' received two prizes: Best Non-fiction and Best Cover.

Critics have also praised ‘In Borrowed Houses.’ A judge in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards called 'In Borrowed Houses' “ . . a well written book full of compassion . . . a captivating story . . . ”. Another reviewer described the book as “Wise, honest, sensitive, funny, heart-wrenching . . .”. Colin Chapman, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut said, “ . . . western Christians and Middle Eastern Christians need to read this story…full of remarkable perceptiveness and genuine hope.”

Frances has shared stories about her life in an interview with Women Over 70, and a recording is available on their Facebook page.

Frances Fuller is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at frances0516@att.net. The full text of her latest article is available at her website. Fuller's book is available at Amazon and other book retailers. A free ebook sample from 'In Borrowed Houses' is available at http://www.payhip.com/francesfuller. Frances Fuller also blogs on other issues relating to the Middle East on her website at http://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com.

About Frances Fuller:

Frances Fuller spent thirty years in the violent Middle East and for twenty-four of those years was the director of a Christian publishing program with offices in Lebanon. While leading the development of spiritual books in the Arabic language, she survived long years of civil war and invasions.

Contact:

Frances Fuller

frances0516@att.net

http://www.francesfullerauthor.com

Leia Mais…

Assisted Living: What You Need To Know Before You Make A Decision - Will I Be Safer In A Retirement Community Asks Frances Fuller, Bestselling Author Of Helping Yourself Grow Old

Best-selling author Frances Fuller offers an insider's view of assisted living and a unique outlook on aging, based on her own experience. Her insights are penetrating and deal with issues that many seniors and their families are concerned about.

Wildfires, Earthquakes. Floods. Hurricanes. None of us are entirely safe from these types of events. Many of us already have developed evacuation plans and emergency procedures in the event we are hit with a natural disaster. But what about the elderly? The vulnerability of elderly individuals living alone during emergencies is even more dangerous. When disaster strikes, evacuation procedures can be chaotic and challenging to navigate, especially for those with limited mobility or cognitive impairments. Access to necessary medical supplies and facilities may be disrupted, leaving seniors without essential medications or medical equipment, further escalating their health risks. Additionally, the stress and trauma associated with these catastrophic events can take a severe toll on the mental and emotional well-being of elderly individuals, potentially aggravating pre-existing conditions or leading to new health challenges.

Frances Fuller, author of the bestselling book on aging, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old - Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost 90', addressed this issue in a recent post on her website. In that article she wrote:

"The hurricane that devastated Florida has made me think. There are too many things to be afraid of. It is easier to be afraid when we are old, with declining strength. And it is harder to act on our fears.

"For example, living in an area of drought, subject to wildfires, is stressful for everyone, but especially for the elderly. When a whole town burned in California, a few years ago, the elderly were a high percentage of the fatalities, because they simply couldn’t move fast enough. Some didn’t even hear the warning; it was early morning and they had not yet put their hearing aids in their ears. One woman got as far as her porch in her wheelchair but perished, unable to get down to the ground.

"In war zones the elderly elect to stay when younger people flee, because the old people know they can’t walk to safety. Or, maybe walking away from the one place they know is their idea of death.

"Whether the danger is fire, flood or an enemy army, the elderly may be less responsive to warnings. Evacuation means packing bags under stress, putting them in the car, buying gas, bullying their way into the stream of traffic, surviving hours in the car without even potty breaks, finding no place to sleep. The effort may seem impossible; in fact it may be impossible. Instead, they will take their chances.

"And the chances of their survival are not good. I thought of this when I saw on television people in Florida walking away from their flooded homes in waist-high water. Only the young and strong can do that.

"Indeed it makes us stop and think of the perils of the elderly living alone. This is a major reason for the existence of retirement homes, assisted living, even independent living communities. They provide a safer environment."

The full text of the piece is available at https://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com/will-i-be-safer-in-a-retirement-community/.

Frances Fuller's book is unique among the many books on aging, because it is personal, while most such books are written from an academic point of view. Most are penned by sociologists, doctors, gerontologists, even the CEO of AARP, and one by a Catholic nun, Joan Chittister. Chittister's book, 'The Gift of Years' is beautifully written, focusing on spiritual values and finding meaning in life. Chittister admits in the preface that she was only 70, which is the front edge of aging, and her book is somewhat abstract.

Atul Gawande’s book, 'On Being Mortal', relates medicine and old age, It enjoys high Amazon rankings, in the category of “the sociology of aging.” It contains a great deal of valuable scientific information and shows understanding of the physical and emotional needs of the elderly.

Frances Fuller’s book, 'Helping Yourself Grow Old, Things I Said To Myself When I Was Almost Ninety', is an up-close and very personal encounter with aging. It is an uncontrived and firsthand look at her own daily experiences: wrestling with physical limitations, grief, loneliness, fears, and the decisions she has made about how to cope with these and keep becoming a better person. She faces regrets and the need to forgive herself and others and is determined to live in a way that blesses her children and grandchildren.

Frances deals with many common, universal but sometimes private issues in an open, conversational tone. Her confessions and decisions invite self-searching and discussion. She tries to make sense of her own past and to understand her responsibility to younger generations. In the process she shares her daily life, enriched with memories from her fascinating experiences. Her stories and her voice — fresh, honest, irresistible — keep the reader eager for more. The end result is a book that helps create a detailed map through the challenging terrain of old age.

The result of this intimate narrative is that readers laugh, cry and identify with her mistakes and problems. Reviewers have called the book, “unique,” “honest,” “witty,” “poignant,” “challenging” and “life-changing.”

For these reasons it is a book unlike any other book on aging you will ever read. The book can serve as a primer on what lies in store for all of us, from someone who is working through many of these issues. While the book is a perfect fit for book clubs, there are many other individuals and groups who could benefit from the information and ideas in the book:

Those approaching retirement
People who are currently retired
Children of aging parents
Those who have lost a spouse
Retirement community discussion groups
Counselors
Educators
Life coaches
Church groups (men and women)

and a host of others. For group discussions, Fuller has made a set of discussion questions available at her website at http://www.FrancesFullerAuthor.com.

Readers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon review stated, "I find myself thinking,'I need to read this again and take notes!' It’s full of wisdom, humor, and grace. I also have committed to rereading it annually - it’s that important!" Another said, "There is valuable life experience in this book. Helping Yourself Grow Old is truly is a book for all ages, and one not to be missed." Another stated, "Beautifully written book telling timeless truths, for both the old and the young. Highly recommend this book for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and learn wisdom from someone who has lived so much life."

Frances' prior work, 'In Borrowed Houses', has taken three industry awards and has achieved Bestseller status. Frances Fuller was the Grand Prize winner in the 2015 '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book Awards. It received the bronze medal for memoir in the Illumination Book Awards in 2014. Northern California Publishers and Authors annually gives awards for literature produced by residents of the area. In 2015 'In Borrowed Houses' received two prizes: Best Non-fiction and Best Cover.

Critics have also praised ‘In Borrowed Houses.’ A judge in the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards called 'In Borrowed Houses' “ . . a well written book full of compassion . . . a captivating story . . . ”. Another reviewer described the book as “Wise, honest, sensitive, funny, heart-wrenching . . .”. Colin Chapman, lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut said, “ . . . western Christians and Middle Eastern Christians need to read this story…full of remarkable perceptiveness and genuine hope.”

Frances has shared stories about her life in an interview with Women Over 70, and a recording is available on their Facebook page.

Frances Fuller is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at frances0516@att.net. The full text of her latest article is available at her website. Fuller's book is available at Amazon and other book retailers. A free ebook sample from 'In Borrowed Houses' is available at http://www.payhip.com/francesfuller. Frances Fuller also blogs on other issues relating to the Middle East on her website at http://www.inborrowedhouseslebanon.com.

About Frances Fuller:

Frances Fuller spent thirty years in the violent Middle East and for twenty-four of those years was the director of a Christian publishing program with offices in Lebanon. While leading the development of spiritual books in the Arabic language, she survived long years of civil war and invasions.

Contact:

Frances Fuller

frances0516@att.net

http://www.francesfullerauthor.com

Leia Mais…