November is National Family Caregivers Month and so it is no coincidence that the newest book from attorney Cathy Sikorski, Who Moved My Teeth? Preparing for Self, Loved Ones and Caregiving (Corner Office Books, division of HOPress-ShorehouseBooks), is talking about preparing for financial and emotional challenges that come with aging and illness.
“I have been a significant caregiver more than 25 years to seven different family members and friends,” noted Sikorski who limits her practice to Elder Care Issues. “I know how difficult the situation can be from an emotional, physical and legal standpoint. I had to learn the hard way about the obstacles that aging and illness can create.”
Sikorski chose to write this book so that anyone from young to elderly can have a blueprint about what steps they need to secure their future. The book speaks to a variety of issues such as living wills, the difference between being an executor and power of attorney, nursing home financing and long term care.
“I want to get people thinking about what lies ahead as our population ages,” she said. “This is a great place to start. The topics can be difficult for people to face, but it’s so important that people prepare. Everyone will face a crisis one day so it’s important to be ready.”
In her first book, a memoir entitled Showering with Nana: Confessions of a Serial Caregiver (HumorOutcasts Press, 2015), Sikorski used her experience as a caregiver and humorist to detail her life when her 92-year-old grandmother moved in with her family when she was a stay-at-home mom to a toddler.
“Although that memoir was told from a humorous point of view, the message of caregiving and what it means to take on this arduous responsibility came through loud and clear,” she observed. “With Who Moved My Teeth? I am taking the direct and legal approach. Yes, there is humor but I will use whatever tool available to get out the information.”
In addition to her legal work, Sikorski is a blogger for HuffingtonPost.com and a contributor to the humor site HumorOutcasts.com. She speaks throughout the country about caregiving issues and she can also be seen on the West Chester, PA Story Slam You Tube Channel. Sikorski has also participated in the Philadelphia Writer’s Conference where she won a Humor Prize in 2014. Known as a “Thought Leader,” her work can be found in the Happiness Recipe Anthology: the Best of Year One. Sikorski maintains an active blog “You just have to Laugh…where Caregiving is Comedy…” at www.cathysikorski.com where she continues to post absurd yet true stories that continue today. You can contact Cathy Sikorski at cathy.sikorski@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter at @cathy_sikorski.
This looks like an amazing book. Who doesn’t want to laugh in these turbulent times!
Thanks Estelle, Laughing and Educating should go together more often!
Caregiving touches all of us eventually. Sometimes not when we expect it. I hope I get a chance to read the book and glad it’s humorous.
Exactly, Rebecca. Caregiving can come out of the blue like a tsunami and preparing beforehand is always better than in a crisis!
I love Cathy’s sense of humour and when you combine it with something as important as family, caring and ageing it makes the process so much better!
This is a special book too. So much valuable info and delivered with a good dose of humor!
Yes..Leanne, I learned that laughing when you can sure makes it easier to handle!
Thank you to Cathy, and I will be buying this book!
Yay! A great book to keep around the house for sure!
Thanks, Tam….let me know if you ever have any questions!
The title is fantastic! It is fantastic and clearly sets the tone for a very helpful book.
So glad you like the title, Ellen!!!! Why not laugh while dealing with these things?
This will be so helpful to so many people. Cathy is such a great writer and always offers so much important information.
Thanks, Lois! Hopefully it will help someone!
I went through this with my mother and then my BFF. All info possible needs to be shared, so thank you!
Yes, Carol, people don’t realize it’s not just their relatives they will be helping, My BFF too has needed some real help and that’s where some of this hard-earned knowledge came from!
Cathy, your writing never gets old.
Oh Bill Spencer, neither does your humor!!! EVER! Wish I could bottle it!
Cathy, you’re doing such a great public service, sharing what you’ve learned from personal experience and your legal background. Thanks!
Thanks Roxanne, Maybe someone will learn it the easy way from this book and save a bit of ‘the hard way!’