Reviews
"Nanette J. Davis, Ph.D. has written a comprehensive and well-researched book on caregiving. Armed with the current statistics that clearly define caregivers within our nation, this text draws attention to the plight of the 34 million caregivers in our nation, their challenges and their needs. The caregiver narratives provide a humanistic snapshot of this under-appreciated group. Dr. Davis’ personal reflections and spiritual wisdom make this book a must-read for caregivers, as well as medical professionals and health policy experts."
...Becky Dunlop, Nurse Coordinator, The Johns Hopkins Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center
"As a long-time sociologist, researcher, and caregiver herself, Nanette Davis could have just written a how-to book about caregiving, and it would have been good. But what makes Blessed is She an excellent book, is that she lets the voices of the 60 women caregivers whose stories form the basis of the work, ring out. Any woman who has been a caregiver will find herself resonating with someone else's words somewhere in the book. By letting us hear from her interviewees in their own words, Dr. Davis acknowledges their wide range of feelings and challenges. At the same time, she is able to organize these disparate thoughts and experiences into groups and patterns, and then provide caregivers with a structure and suggestions on how to understand a difficult situation and improve upon it. This is a book which should be read by caregivers as well as health care providers and other professionals whose work impacts on elders with sickness and disabilities."
...Dr. Martha A. Nance, Medical Director, Struthers Parkinson's Center
"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
"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)
“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
"Dr. Davis has authored an outstanding resource for caregivers from multiple perspectives. It is based on sound social science theory, the author's personal life experience, and the input of many who volunteered for interviews by the author. The result is an amalgam of sound advice, information and and inspiration. Any caregiver will benefit from a reading of this very approachable book."
...Larry S. Richardson, Ph.D., Professor, Western Washington University and Caregiver