I was recently sent an advance proof copy of Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz and The Caregiver to review, a new publication by Syracuse University Press and part of a Library of Jewish Literature series.

I first read the title as Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz and the Caregiver and I thought perhaps “feeding” the caregiver would imply feeding her spirit, through some relationship the caregiver finds with Mrs. Moskowitz; but that’s not right. The title is read Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz and The Caregiver. It’s two stories in one book.

The descriptive text on the back of the book was difficult to read, black text on a greenish, almost camouflage background. I had to read it closely and at an angle.

The back of the book describes Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz as such:

In this pair of moving, gracefully poignant novellas, sisters Pokras and Yariv explore the world of the elderly with deft humor and heart-wrenching detail. Pokras Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz introduces us to the remarkable Golde Moskowitz, an elderly Russian widow living alone with her memories. In Golde’s world, “signs” are everywhere, the dead converse with the living and dreams are real. Natalie Holtzman, a thirty-six-yearold graphic artist longing for connection, fills her world with work and with Artie, her commitment-wary boyfriend. One sweltering summer morning, Golde decides to do some grocery shopping. Natalie, on her way to work, quite “literally runs” into her and the lives of both women are forever changed.

I should say from the outset that I’m not a big fan of most fictional books. That being said, I know that good fiction is also very hard to write. Needless to say, the writing Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz didn’t hold me, so I skimmed forward and it still didn’t hold me. I felt it was a bland and unoriginal style; however – see previous comment on not generally being a fan of fiction.

I moved to The Caregiver, which is described as such:

Yariv’s The Caregiver unfolds in a series of stories, revealing the inner workings of Sunset Hills, a fictional upscale assisted-living facility in Hollywood. Narrated by Ofelia Hernandez, a young Latina caregiver, the stories capture both the mundane routines and the absurdities of the residents lives. With deep empathy and subtle humor, Yariv crafts intimate portraits of characters whose passion, intensity, and intelligence are only magnified with age.

This story was better, more creative in style and delivery, worth reading, and it reads fast. The writer could even add more to the story to delve deeper into the characters. Because the story is so short, the reader may be left wanting to know more. The characters have potential for more.

The book has its own blog, check the blog out right here.

Well this is interesting, a documentary will soon be released that addresses the fear and discrimination six lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experience in health care and long-term care settings. Gen Silent discusses how the oppression leaves the individuals feeling alone and in fear. Stu Maddux, a filmmaker whose work includes Trip to Hell and Back, is shedding light on the subject.

Watch the trailer:

Breaking Out of Bedlam, a new book written by Leslie Larson, and featured in The New York Times, is getting mention amongst some aging professionals, because of the novel’s setting, an assisted living facility. Cora Sledge, the 82-year-old main character, is placed in the Palisades, an assisted living facility, by her children. Horrified by this, Cora sets out to find her revenge through a tell-all journal she writes that reveals past secrets. The product description reads:

In entries that are profane, profound, and gossipy, she chronicles her childhood in rural Missouri, her shotgun wedding, and the terrible event that changed the course of her life. Intermingled with her reminiscences is an account of the day-to-day dramas at The Palisades—her budding romance with a suave new resident, feuds with her tablemates, her rollicking camaraderie with the man who oversees her health care, and the sinister cloud of suspicion that descends as a series of petty crimes sets everyone on edge. The story builds to a powerful climax as Cora’s revelations about her past mesh with the unraveling intrigue in the present.

I have not read the book yet, but early reviews promise the novel to be a humorous take on a strong, stubborn woman’s final years within a long-term care setting. If I’m to enjoy Breaking Out of Bedlam, I’ll need to temporarily set aside my immediate disdain for the book’s title, where an assisted living facility is referred to as “bedlam”, an indication that other, potentially harmful language toward elders and the aging industry is likely throughout the novel. Perhaps through this suspension of my disdain over the harmful language I’ll manage to find the humor the author intends.

Have you read the book? What did you think?

Each of us enters old age, and with that comes a philosophical, spiritual reflection on what life has brought us thus far and how we’ll spend our remaining days. The response to that is as different as the individuals pondering it. Some will do their best to ignore the thought, to seek mental distractions from thinking about the inevitable end; and others embrace that end-of-life reflection, and seek to leave some positive influence in their final years.

The Way We Get By is a newly produced, independent movie that at the outset may appear like a simple documentary on three elders that greet American soldiers flying home with a layover at the airport in Bangor, Maine. Why Bangor? Bangor is the first major American airport encountered by airliners approaching the United States from the east. Many overseas flights land in Bangor first. It’s where thousands of U.S. soldiers first plant their feet after returning home. Away from the airport handshakes and smiles, however, the three main characters wrestle deeply with debt, failing health, depression and contending with their mortality. The director states:

This is a rare film, encompassing important social issues and controversial topics, while remaining a story that every American can support. While troop greeting may not be an option for many of the nation’s seniors, it demonstrates how community involvement can significantly improve the lives of the elderly in America.

The film has not yet been released, but you can watch the trailer below, and/or order a copy of the film by visiting the site, The Way We Get By Movie. Let this film serve as motivation to not go idly into the night. Every action has a reaction. The question becomes:

What will your final actions be, and consequently, what reactions will you produce?

I always enjoyed the Berenstain Bears series of books as I was growing up. Now I’m enjoying them again as I read them to my children. Each book contains a small lesson, and the book I read to the kids this weekend confronted aging stereo-types. I’m not sure where this particular Week at Grandma’s Berenstain Bears book came from, but I suspect my wife found it at a second hand store or a lawn sale somewhere. I found it on the bookshelf.

Whether you’re a grandparent or a parent sending your kids to your parents, this book represents awesome aging. That’s right – awesome aging! What makes it so awesome? Why, I’m glad you asked.

Mama and Papa bear are going for a second honeymoon, and the cubs will spend the week with their grandparents. Read the conflict:

It didn’t seem like a simple thing to the cubs. They loved Gramps and Gran very much, but . . . well, they just weren’t Mama and Papa.

Besides, Gramps and Gran were sort of . . . old.

Eeeeek! Aaaaaah, and this is where this book’s lesson lies. Now granted, the books does contain a few . . . perhaps unrealistic scenarios, like super strong Gramps carrying the two kids up the stairs with all of their bags, but the cubs do get exposed to their grandparents’ healthy aging lifestyle, by taking part in things like:

• fishing
• cooking
• yo-yo action
• outdoor bird feeding
• and good old square dancing

Alas, the cubs learn that Gran and Gramps are a whole lot of fun, smart, and . . . can even feel the weather in their bones!