MADISON, WI – For more than 75 million people in the United States who provide care for an aging parent, central Wisconsin resident Darby Puglielli and her mother, Barbara McVicker, have extended a lifeline. With the release of “Stuck in the Middle: Shared Stories and Tips for Caregiving Your Elderly Parents,” Puglielli and McVicker, provide real-life short stories by caregivers and a practical guide with tip lists.
During her decade-long struggle to provide care to her own aging parents, McVicker mirrored the typical caregiver in the United States – mid 40s, married and employed – according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Although approximately 60 percent of family caregivers are women, both male and female children make sacrifices at home and work to accommodate caregiving responsibilities. In nationwide surveys, both men and women have modified their work schedules (men 54 percent, women 56 percent), both have come in late and/or leave early (men 78 percent, women 84 percent) and both have altered their work-related travel (men 38 percent, women 27 percent).
Puglielli was also literally “stuck in the middle” while caring for her husband’s elderly grandmother and raising a toddler at the same time. Puglielli leaned heavily on McVicker’s advice during this time in her life.
McVicker conducted more than 200 interviews with caregivers and health care professionals to compile a book she says is dedicated to the “sandwich generation” – caregivers who are caught between caring for their children and their aging parents.
“While the rewards of caregiving are immense, the day-in, day-out schedule demands a significant amount of emotional and physical strength” said McVicker. “The irony is that often caregivers feel isolated and overwhelmed, and yet there are 75 million people nationwide feeling the same emotions.”
Stuck in the Middle was written for those who may feel that no one understands their daily challenges and selfless contributions. It provides practical tip lists on important topics such as:
• end-of-life choices and questions to ask
• medical and legal documents all aging parents should have in place
• caregiver work/life strategies
• communication tips… how to talk so they can listen
• senior housing options, and
• elder depression
The title of the book – Stuck in the Middle – came from McVicker and Puglielli’s experience of caring for their children on one side and their aging relatives on the other.
“It seemed I was always stuck at the doctor’s office with my mom when I needed to be driving the carpool to soccer or meeting a deadline at work,” said McVicker. “I never dreamed I would be caring for my parents almost as long as I had taken care of my own children.”
Because two-thirds of family caregivers work full- or part-time, McVicker consults with corporate HR departments to assist them in supporting employees who struggle with caregiving. According to a survey by CCH, Inc. only one-third of unscheduled days off are because of illness; 67 percent are absent due to family issues, stress or other personal reasons.
“Employees show up to the workplace, but are minimally productive because of a myriad of caregiving issues,” said McVicker. “Most have made workplace compromises: coming to work late, changing to part-time, early retirement and quitting.”
McVicker provides education and support to workers as a speaker at employee events and through facilitating corporate “Lunch and Learns.” McVicker shares information on caring for elderly parents, addressing the emotional, financial, medical and housing aspects of caregiving, and directs employees to resources to balance work and home life.
“After helping my husband’s family through his grandmother’s illness and death, I realized how important my mom’s book was going to be for millions of other people doing the same thing. I encouraged her to keep writing and joined her in editing and writing sections. I have given copies of the book to friends, and everyone of them knows at least two other people that could benefit from Stuck in the Middle,” added Puglielli.
Stuck in the Middle is available through major booksellers including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com and AuthorHouse.com.
Home PRESS RELEASES CENTRAL WISCONSIN AUTHOR PUBLISHES “STUCK IN THE MIDDLE,” SHARED STORIES AND PRACTICAL...
