We are living in an unprecedented time in the worlds of medicine and longevity. Technology has changed the entire landscape of medicine and life in general. When many elderly people were born, life expectancy was around fifty-four years of age. Now, we all face a life span of much more than that, with recent statistics suggesting that the average life span is almost eighty years of age. Many of us will live even longer.

Illness will impact many of us as we age. If we are lucky and do not have to confront a serious illness ourselves, chances are someone close to us will.

This book is designed to help loved ones who know firsthand about the realities of chronic illness.