Select your font size

There's no place like home

A caregiver's quest for the basics at a long term care facility in Ottawa

In her new book, Lise Cloutier-Steele writes about the current conditions of local nursing homes. She shares her experience as her father's guardian and advocate since his admission to a long term care facility almost three years ago. The book moves from personal stories to practical and helpful information for all caregivers.

There's No Place Like Home features a foreword by Barbara A. Yeats, M.D., a commentary by Marion King, M.A., and contributions from experts including registered nurse Alice Régnier, dental surgeon Hussein Elastal, speech-language pathologist, Karen Luker, Chair of Ottawa Therapy Dogs, Carole Eldridge, Orleans lawyer Jacques Robert, and others.

— Everyone must keep in mind that we, ourselves, someday and/or our spouses may require care, even at the level of Lise's father. I do hope, like the couple featured on the cover, that in my most senior years I will be able to get out for a walk in natural areas. The likelihood of continued quality of life will be greatly increased if appropriate care is available to me, if required. With sound planning and management, there is no reason why we cannot have affordable, adequate care for all of our elderly citizens. Good care is actually less expensive, at least in the long run, because it prevents expensive crises. Also, good care early enough can help prevent the need for more expensive care later.
– Bruce F. Simpson, Senior partner, Barnes, Sammon LLP, Ottawa, Ontario.

— Cloutier-Steele's book is very informative about the world of dealing with long term care facilities. It confirms the importance of being vigilant after you think you have a problem resolved. It was comforting to know that I was not the only one struggling with appropriate care for a loved one. While the struggle is tiring, our loved ones are worth it.â€
– Marion Lochnan, caregiver

Lise Cloutier-Steele is a communications specialist and a professional writer with 25 years of experience. She is the author of Living and Learning with a Child who Stutters, NC Press Limited, Toronto, April 1995, and the recipient of a Canada 125 Award in recognition of a significant contribution to the community and to Canada for her volunteer efforts to help children who stutter and their parents. She is also the author of Misinformed Consent— Women's Stories about Unnecessary Hysterectomy, Next Decade, Inc., New Jersey, March 2003, www.nextdecade.com. In 2008, Lise was the managing editor of an art book featuring the autobiography and contemporary paintings of artist Blair Thomas Paul, www.blairpaul.com.

On the Edge of Discovery was released in November 2009 by Penumbra Press, www.penumbrapress.ca.