In this remarkable evergreen paperback, health counselor Wendy Lusbader shares the stories and experiences of homebound people who have become sedentary and dependent on others. Many of these elders do not adjust well to inactivity and express anger and regret. They struggle with bodies that do not cooperate and feel separated from other healthier generations. The majority of them have never been comfortable with solitude and silence and now they are forced by illness or disability to reside there.
Being homebound gives elders time to face themselves by traveling down memory lane or by finding new areas for personal or spiritual exploration. Living with a slowed-down body and a less-crowded mind has its advantages such as the opportunities to participate in something bigger than ourselves. The pianist Arthur Rubinstein has written:
"I am eighty. So now I take chances I never took before. You see, the stakes are not so high. I can afford it. I used to be much more careful. No wrong notes. Not too bold ideas . . . Now I let go and enjoy myself and to hell with everything but the music."
Wendy Lustbader does a wonderful job describing the kindness and generosity of caregivers and the need for elders of all stripes to open themselves to new possibilities.
