From the Cares Committee bookshelf: The Good Caregiver
Hundreds of books have been written on the concept of care giving, but The Good Caregiver probably is the most practical and useful for someone who works in or is considering the role of care giver. Dr. Kane, a true academic, wrote and published 34 books and 506 research articles; yet, he wrote this very practical book for the general public, combining his extensive research background in aging with what he (and his sister) learned in caring for their aged mother.
The Good Caregiver offers an encyclopedia of background information, resources, and analysis question forms. Topics such as preparing to care and funding it, medical issues, role reversal and family decision-making, daily care, and crisis situations, are thoroughly addressed. Besides being an excellent text on procedures, the book shines as a resource guide, with reference to a huge and invaluable website (“Long term Care: You Decide,” http://ltc.hsr.umn.edu/), a workbook of ideas and assessment tools for beginning and navigating through home-based care giving. The website was developed under Dr. Kane’s direction as a teaching aid and supplement to the use of his book as a textbook.
“Bob Kane has a special connection to UMRA. He served many years as an informal consultant, and in his April 2015 luncheon speech, gave us a capsule of The Good Caregiver. Last year, he not only taught the Care Guides seminar for UMRA volunteers, but led an open workshop on the future of long-term care. He will be greatly missed.”
— Ron Anderson
“As members of the Cares Committee and Care Guides, we were privileged to work through many of the book’s aging issues with our mentor, Bob Kane. For example, to find the best long-term care for a specific situation, it is necessary to visit care sites and agencies. This book provides interview question forms for comparative analysis.”
—Helen Carlson
The Good Caregiver may be purchased from Amazon, Google Books, Barnes and Noble, or other local bookstores. It is also available from libraries.
News
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The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
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Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
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The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: