Just Another Day in the Retirement Home: A Journey of the Heart

"Just Another Day in the Retirement Home" is a memoir about an eight year journey experienced by Janet Fraser, whose aging parents were living their final years in a retirement home. It is a poignant journey of the heart, from the first realization that life is about to change when the roles of parent and child are reversed, through the confusion of navigating the health care system, to the progression of dementia and all the adjustments and surprises that happen along the way. It is about loss and grief, yet it is a story of love, joy, resilience and gratitude. It is about life with all the tears and laughter, and what truly matters at the end of life. This is a love story about an elderly couple who are committed to staying together always, even as their abilities and memories are declining. The life lessons that Janet learns through this experience are invaluable -- the greatest lesson being compassion. As Janet watches the lives of her beloved parents unravel and their memories fade, she also watches her grandchildren as they discover the world-- building memories and reaching for the stars. The experience of being both daughter and grandmother brings home the message that being the link between the past and the future is a privilege and an honour. This is, after all, the circle of life.