Aging Deliberately's Liz Taylor on Blessed is She

"Having worked over 30 years in the aging field, I'm convinced courage is essential for a good old age, whether we're old ourselves, a caregiver or both. Nanette's book, Blessed is She, inspires us by showing how varied yet courageous the caregivers she interviewed are, and how their bravery transforms them."

...Liz Taylor, Former Seattle Times Columnist and Founder, www.AgingDeliberately.com

Fellow Caregiver on Blessed is She

"I think Blessed is She is a really good book: informative, touching, thought-provoking…I hope it gets broad exposure because it deals so insightfully with an issue that many, many of us face at one time or another."

...Lynda Edwards, caregiver and author of The Life You Want Begins With You (forthcoming)

Author Jennifer Lois on Blessed is She

"From poignant stories of immense suffering to inspirational lessons of transcending the burden, Davis artfully uncovers the stark realities of elder caregiving. Blessed Is She gives the reader a framework for understanding the emotional complexities involved in care work and provides essential, practical advice for coping with the stress to maintain physical and psychological health. It is indispensable reading for anyone giving care to a loved one."

...Jennifer Lois, author of Heroic Efforts: The Emotional Culture of Search and Rescue Volunteers

Nanette on the Virtues of Caregiving

Here are a few of the remarkable virtues I learned from caregiving...

1. Count Your Blessings
2. Love
3. Spirituality
4. Faith
5. Acceptance
6. Wisdom

... and you can, too.

University of Washington Professor Nancy R. Hooyman on Blessed is She

"Blessed is She is a sensitively and creatively crafted combination of the existing evidence-based caregiving literature, narratives with 60 women caregivers and the author’s personal insights and reflection on topics, such as overlapping circles of interdependency, costs of altruism and caregiver co-dependency. Among the underlying themes: moving away from caregiving as burden to caregiving as opportunity, through spirituality, ingenious care strategies, spirituality and advocacy to change health and long-term settings."

...Nancy R. Hooyman, co-author of Social Gerontology: A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective

Author Maria Dancing Heart Hoaglund on Blessed is She

“So often, caregivers in our society are neglected and forgotten while involved in some of the most challenging and spiritually transformative work of a lifetime. In Blessed Is She, Nanette Davis has done a remarkable job. Not only has she compiled heartfelt stories of her own as well as many other caregivers, but she has also included an up-to-date national picture of caregiving, complete with definitions, statistics and caregiver snapshots. This is a book of depth and breadth, allowing the reader to become more fully aware of the need to honor and uphold the many quietly suffering, generous caregivers in our midst. I especially love the spiritual thread Nanette weaves throughout the tapestry of her book!”
               
…Rev. Maria Dancing Heart Hoaglund, author of The Last Adventure of Life

Spiritual Psychotherapist on Blessed is She

“Blessed is She is an important book, one that should be a must-read for all of us involved in caregiving to the elderly. Dr. Davis does a masterful job of interweaving the cold, hard facts of this complex problem with the often poignant and heart-wrenching stories of some of these dedicated women caregivers. In courageously sharing her own story, she skillfully moves the reader towards her 'ingenious' strategies for accessing the wisdom of the heart; thus providing some very viable solutions. As individuals, we may not think we have the power to change the system, but we do have the power to change ourselves.”

...Gloria Harrison, Spiritual Psychotherapist

College of William & Mary Chancellor Professor Kathleen F. Slevin on Blessed is She

"Nanette J. Davis’ book, Blessed is She, is a treasure trove for those who currently are caregivers and for the rest of us who, as women, likely will one day become caregivers or receivers. This book—as much a personal and spiritual journey as it is an academic analysis—takes us inside the gendered world of caregivers. In it we learn first-hand how profound are the physical, mental and emotional challenges of caregiving. We hear the voices of the caregivers, all women, and we gain a deep appreciation for their sacrifices, their love, their spirituality, their commitment and their determination to do what is right by their loved ones. Students of aging, and of religion, should find it compelling reading."

...Kathleen F. Slevin, co-author of Age Matters: Realigning Feminist Thinking

Rev. Barbara Gilday Shares Her Thoughts on the Book

“Elder care is not sexy, so it’s not attractive to many researchers or funders. Dr. Nanette Davis addresses it both as a professional, experienced in assessing sociological issues, and as a person whose own heart has been broken by the demise of her own husband in a broken system. Her book is thorough and compassionate. As someone once said to me... ‘Even in the middle of the night, when I am awake and all my friends and family are sleeping, I can pick the book up and find a friend... someone who understands where I am.’ I recommend this book for those anywhere along this path – as personal or professional caregiver.”

...Rev. Barbara Gilday, Chaplain and Community Minister

"Caregiving" Author Beth Witrogen McLeod on Blessed is She

"Family caregiving has long been considered 'women's work' and thus unworthy of due respect and support; Dr. Nanette Davis' fine work now shows us the folly of that stereotype. This is a most comprehensive and deeply spiritual examination of the broader aspects of caregiving, leading us to understand its inherent potential for bringing to full fruition the creative, joyful energy that it is to be a woman. Kudos for Blessed Is She: This book gives voice to every woman who feels guilty and burdened in this role, along with a brilliant roadmap for the healing that elder care promises."

...Beth Witrogen (McLeod), author of Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal

Renowned Author Marsha Sinetar on Blessed is She

"Even a quick review of Blessed is She might give today's caregivers and those who care for them hope, and lend support and information for their lives. The book is full of very human stories revealing very human, positive ideas about 'retooling' thinking along common sense and networking and prayerful lines."

...Marsha Sinetar, Ph.D., author of Don't Call Me Old, I'm Just Awakening

Welcome to My Blog!

You can now purchase or read an excerpt of my latest book, Blessed is She... Elder Care: Women's Stories of Choice, Challenge and Commitment.

Drawing its title from Psalm 41—“Blessed is she who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers her in times of trouble” —Blessed is She takes you into the lives of more than 60 women who provide care for elderly loved ones. This work is an invaluable resource for those who face the daunting and heartbreaking task of looking after beloved parents, spouses, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and friends.

Part scholarly analysis, part memoir, Blessed is She is the most meaningful work of my career. I received my Ph.D. from Michigan State University and completed my post-doctorate studies at Stanford University. I bring more than three decades experience as author, educator, advocate, researcher and lecturer. My scholarly work includes eight other books and more than 100 articles, encyclopedia entries, research reports, book chapters and reviews. I am a past Fulbright Senior Scholar, and currently teach Sociology of Aging, among other courses, at Western Washington University.

To learn more about my work, feel free to check out my website, nanettejdavis.com.

If you live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, you can see me at the Alzheimer's Society of Washington's 22nd Annual Fall Conference on Friday, October 17th, 2008. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.alzsociety.org/fallconference.html.

Stay tuned... I'll be posting dates for upcoming book signings and appearances in the coming days. You'll also be able to find out what readers like you are saying about Blessed is She.

Thanks for visiting. I welcome your questions and comments.