Joan Englander is founder of Healing Companions services, a holistic pioneering vision of eldercare. For more than 30 years, she has taught nursing staffs and other caregivers various creative and healing therapies with a heavy emphasis on music, movement, and storytelling. For two years, Englander traveled in Egypt, India, and Israel where she studied spiritual treatments for those suffering in mind, body and soul. In 1983, she had a life-transforming experience with the late Mother Teresa followed by several close encounters of her own suffering.
Englander shares her spiritual perspective and out-of-the-box approach to eldercare in this spirited paperback. Anyone familiar with most nursing homes will recognize the need for her creative brand of caring. Instead of letting residents sleep in hallways or in packed lounges all day watching television, Englander brings them inspiration, hope, and energy in the form of singing, prayers, poetry, music, and dance. She is convinced that such an approach can draw out the inner resources of elders and give meaning and purpose to the time they have left.
Lewis Smedes has written: "You and I were created for joy, and if we miss it, we miss the reason for our existence!" For Englander, laughter, dancing, and singing are all pathways to joy. She demonstrates ways to tap into these wellsprings of renewal. Other aspects of eldercare covered in this paperback are making a home wherever you are, exercising our spirit, facing our shadow, pathways to peace, prayer therapy, and when death is near.
We agree with Englander's crusade against boredom and her belief that to create rituals is to make art of life. Not enough is done with all the transitions that elders make as they age and continue the spiritual journey. Thank goodness there are stout-hearted and imaginative caregivers like Englander to hear their pleas and stir their souls with meaningful rituals.
