Sunset And Evening Star — Barbara James

This book covers many issues facing us as we grow older, and encourages those who haven't reached that stage of their lives to better prepare now for what is coming. I've tried to keep it upbeat and humorous wherever possible, but let's face it, much of old age is not the “golden years” that we hear so much about. When I needed to sell my home in the country, knowing my only option was to move to a “home for the elderly, disabled or handicapped,” and seeing many of my friends in similar situations, I decided to write about the pitfalls of aging and how to deal more effectively with them. A sense of humor helps enormously! The book covers issues ranging from losing one's home, the death of a loved one, illness and the high cost of medical care, irritants from insensitive people, even finding enough food to get through until the next Social Security check. One chapter deals with the agony of making the decision of whether to “pull the plug” or not. This is the one chapter that I could not keep upbeat.