Reviews
"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
"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
“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“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
"As a Psychiatric, Adult and Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in diverse health care settings, I continually encounter the physical, emotional and spiritual tolls on elderly care receivers, care partners and other family members. Cheers for Blessed Is She...an effective and essential "advocacy manual" for a complex personal and societal issue. Dr. Davis authoritatively and even-handedly captures the challenging, agonizing realities of caregiving, opportunities for spiritual growth and the positive aspects and inadequacies of our health care system. A must-read for everyone this subject touches."
…Susan Ouellette, CRNP, CSP, APRN-PMH, RN