Living and Dying with Dignity: A Daughter's Journey through Long-Term Care

Living and Dying with Dignity--A Daughter’s Journey through Long-Term Care tells of the author’s struggles in caring for her aging, ailing parents, who lived hours away from her, while trying to live her own life as a schoolteacher, wife, and mother.

Ms. Jilks would drive the many kilometres to check on and look after first her mother, and then her father, only to find that her proffered help was not welcome. In retrospect, she realizes she should have accompanied them to their doctor’s appointments, because their illnesses were interfering with their ability to comprehend instructions and facts--a very common situation.

Many will find this book filled with their own sad memories as they coped with similar situations in the past; others will find many tips and answers for an experience that is still in the future. Either way, this is a book full of revelations and wisdom.

Jennifer Jilks is an educator, writer, blogger, and an avid reader and researcher.  She has developed expertise in working with a wide range of professionals in education and health care.  This has helped her negotiate with medical staff while advocating for her parents as they succumbed to cancer.  She sits on the Family, Youth and Child Services of the Muskoka board of directors, which keeps her involved in the community.  She holds a degree in Early Childhood Educations, a B.Ed., and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Technology, with experience in teaching students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8.  A Special Education Specialist, she has worked with many special needs students.  She has delivered workshops to peers and lectured to student teachers on a part-time basis at the University of Ottawa.