A Journey for Two

Explores the mother-daughter relationship in the context of caregiving

Across the Unites States, about 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months. Much of this caregiving is performed by women and often for their mothers or mothers-in-law, relationships that may be warm, fraught, or complicated. Even in the best of circumstances, caregivers can feel burned out, strained, and exhausted, but add to the mix the complicated emotions that come from caring for a loved one and you may have a perfect storm.

Here, Jeanne Lord provides valuable emotional support and information for daughter caregivers to mother patients during a stressful and uncertain time. It is unique in that it offers not only personal insights from caregiving daughters, but the perspectives of their mothers, as well. Lord followed the women on their journeys over the course of ten years, so the follow-up interviews give readers an opportunity to fast forward into the future lives of the caregiving daughters to read about their perspectives, and gain insights into new attitudes and ideas for life after caregiving.

Through compelling stories of a variety of mother-daughter relationships and in-depth interviews, the very complex relationships between mothers and daughters in a caregiving situation are explored and revealed in an objective light. Offering comfort and understanding to the reader, the book also offers suggestions, ideas, resources, and support for navigating the care of their loved one.

Jeanne R. Lord, PhD, began her career with a senior citizens nutrition program, followed by an appointment with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension’s Adult Life and Aging Team. In addition, she taught at Northern Illinois University. In 2000, Lord returned to her Alma Mater, Eastern Illinois University, where she is currently a professor in the Department of Human Services and Community Leadership. During her tenure at EIU, she has also served as associate dean for ten years, and then as interim dean for one-year for the College of Health and Human Services. She has presented at numerous state, national, and international conferences and has published in professional journals. She has received university awards for teaching, research, service, and leadership.

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