It Shouldn't Be This Way: The Failure of Long-Term Care

I just starting to read this book last night. My brother passed away after 4 months in a regular hospital/ then to a long term acute care facility/then to a subacute care facility/then back to a regular hospital. He had cancer and Guillain-Barre, a paralysis, also COPD and a heart valve. A lot going against him, and he was 77. This was a gut-wrenching experience for him, his family, and his friends. I am very intested to learn what this doctor and his sister have to say about the long term care experience. My other brother, age 72, is now in a long term care facility with Parkinson's.

One of the best books I've read! ...and not just because I had to for class! The perfect book for a gerontologist! Thank you UMASS Boston for this book!

I recommend this book highly, having read it shortly after my father had to go into a nursing home. It resonated completely with my overall experience and made me more assertive in pushing for changes at the home where my father resided. Like the authors, I have experience with medical practice, as I'm a professor teaching medical students, but encountered the same frustrations that Dr. Kane describes. The lists of questions to ask and things to be cautious about at the end of each chapter are great resources for anyone who is, or may become, responsible for the care of an aging relative . Dr. Kane's sad, but engaging, story of his mother's experiences during her declining health illustrates the many difficulties in changing a system of care for the elderly that has depended too much on the good will and dedication of underpaid and often inadequately trained staff at assisted living and nursing homes. The problems Dr. Kane describes happen far too often.

Mandatory reading for developers, administration and care professional of senior living industry

Yes

This book should be mandatory reading for every healthcare professional and for all nursing students. It is excellent for anyone dealing with or who will deal with aging parents. I continue to buy copies and share with anyone I find enduring the journey through long term care. Our family has just finished our journey through the failed system. I have personally had 20 years experience as a nurse in long term care but nothing could have prepared us for the journey. Unfortunately nothing can take away the pain and suffering our father endured for those months in long term care facilities. However this book put in words many of out thoughts and much of what we experienced. I have read it several times and read it out loud to anyone present when we were trapped in similar circoumstances. Our journey was similar in many ways which is tragic. Everyone with parents still living should read this book. We must move together to make a difference and change this failed sytem.

It met the need and arrived on time. I didn't really care for the content. One of a million stories nothing new. I bought it second hand and used it was.

excellent book, used it for my education in Gerontology