Sign-In
Cart
Sage: A Journey to the Final Station-My Years Working in Assisted Living
Hardcover
Aging & Elder CareHealth General
Publisher: Tiamia Press
Published: Apr 21 2025
Pages: 340
Weight: 1.37
Height: 0.88 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Part memoir and part examination of several assisted living communities. Young, ambitious and working in advertising in San Francisco, Renshaw-Breen wasn't a fan of old people. They were slow, she believed, a burden on society. But after moving with her husband to small-town Ojai, California, the best job she could find was marketing director at a retirement community.
To her surprise, many of the community's residents defied her previous assessment of seniors. Some, though in their 80s and 90s, were physically and mentally fit. She met painters, poets, and political activists. She was inspired by longtime married couples still in love and by a passionate new romance between two nonagenarians. Many residents, including dementia patients, became her friends. She advocated for staff who were often overworked and underpaid. The author also candidly outlines the challenges of a demanding job...under constant pressure to fill beds, she experienced stress and burnout. In addition, she navigated a volatile marriage.
Throughout she gives a frank account of assisted living communities. Her memoir offers a peek behind the curtains of an industry in which the desire to compassionately serve and the wish to financially profit, clash.
Renshaw-Breen acknowledges her drive to maximize profits, but she cared deeply about the residents, whether they were patient and admirable or cranky and demanding. The author is also upfront about her own strengths and shortcomings; she recounts, for example, times she yelled at support staff. Humor plays a pivotal part; in one facility, 96-year-old Bob is told his apartment costs 4,000 dollars a month and an additional 700 dollars for a girlfriend to move in. He happily responds, I'll take the girlfriend for 700 per month.
This vibrant narrative challenges the view that the twilight of life lacks brightness. Renshaw-Breen witnessed the candid reality of aging-a journey society shuns yet one which affects us all. She shares her elderly mentors' gift of guidance on marriage, mortality, and insights into what truly matters in life.
Sage: A Journey to the Final Station--My Years Working in Assisted Living sheds light on some secrets from life's final chapter.
1 different editions
Also available
Sage: A Journey to the Final Station-My Years Working in Assisted Living
Renshaw-Breen, Liz
Paperback
Also from
Renshaw-Breen, Liz
Sage: A Journey to the Final Station-My Years Working in Assisted Living
Renshaw-Breen, Liz
Paperback
Also in
Aging & Elder Care
When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Early Signs to Full Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia
Chin, Nathaniel
Hardcover
Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered
Viorst, Judith
Hardcover
Independence for Life: The Complete Guide to Building Strength and Regaining Mobility Beyond 50
Harlow, Will
Paperback
The Miracle Morning After 50: A Proven Path to Joy, Vitality, and Purpose for Aging Adults
Clark, Dwayne J.
Elrod, Hal
Paperback
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
Brooks, Arthur C.
Hardcover
Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Revised and Updated: A Guide for People with Dementia and Those Who Care for Them
Lunde, Angela
Graff-Radford, Jonathan
Hardcover
Thriving Beyond Fifty (Expanded Edition): 111 Natural Strategies to Restore Your Mobility, Avoid Surgery and Stay Off Pain Pills for Good
Harlow, Will, Msc McSp
Paperback
Longevity Guidebook: How to Slow, Stop, and Reverse Aging - and NOT Die from Something Stupid
Diamandis, Peter H.
Hardcover
Stress-Free Potty Training: A Commonsense Guide to Finding the Right Approach for Your Child
Au, Sara
Stavinoha Ph. D., Peter
Paperback
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life
Paxton, Matt
Paperback
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Care for the Caregiver: 101 Stories of Advice and Humor for Dementia Care
Newmark, Amy
Paperback
Forget Me Not: The #1 Alzheimer's and Dementia Guide for Professional and Family Caregivers
Kostiw, Debra
Paperback
The Dementia Care Toolkit: Real Help for Challenging Behaviors and Caregiving Overwhelm
Edmonds, Natali
Paperback
Aging Out: An Exploration of Caregiving, Corporations, and How Americans Grow Old (Large Print Edition)
Schiller, Lucy
Hardcover
It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond
Lively, Emma
Cameron, Julia
Paperback
The Essential Questions: Interview Your Family to Uncover Stories and Bridge Generations
Keating, Elizabeth, PH. D.
Hardcover
How to Retire Happy, Fourth Edition: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire
Hinden, Stan
Paperback
Information My Family Needs to Know Organizer: Legacy Planner for Personal, Medical & Financial Affairs 4 Document Pockets Spiral Bound Gift for Adult
Publications International Ltd
New Seasons
Paperback
The Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity
Green, David
High, Bill
Hardcover
21 Life Lessons For Teenage Boys: 21 Life Lessons For Teenage Boys: The Most Important Life Lessons I wish I knew When I was a Teen.
Welch, Ali
Abboud, James
Paperback
Aba/AARP Checklist for My Family: A Guide to My History, Financial Plans, and Final Wishes, Second Edition
Hurme, Sally Balch
Paperback
My Last Gift: An Essential End-Of-Life Planner: Important Guidance for You and Your Loved Ones
Boyer, Kim
Hardcover
The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself
Abbit, Linda
Paperback
The Joy of Chair Yoga for Seniors and Beginners: Lose Weight, Move Freely, Feel More Energetic, and Have Some Laughs!
Dolson, Heather
Paperback
The Astonishing Lives of Older Women: How to Create Pleasure Over Peril in Peak Longevity
Welsh, Moira
Paperback
Driving Miss Norma: An Inspirational Story about What Really Matters at the End of Life
Liddle, Ramie
Bauerschmidt, Tim
Paperback
The Joy of Not Working: A Book for the Retired, Unemployed and Overworked
Zelinski, Ernie J.
Paperback
Unconditional Love: A Guide to Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Being a Grandparent Today
Isay, Jane
Paperback
Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregiver, and the Human Brain
Kiper, Dasha
Paperback
Crazy Grandma 2 Grayscale Coloring Book for Adults: Portrait Coloring Book Grandma goes crazy Grandma funny Coloring Book
Publishing, Monsoon
Paperback
The Complete Family Guide to Dementia: Everything You Need to Know to Help Your Parent and Yourself
Harrison, Thomas F.
Forester, Brent P.
Paperback
Forget Me Not: The #1 Alzheimer's and Dementia Guide for Professional and Family Caregivers
Kostiw, Debra
Hardcover
I hear you: Talking and listening to people with Alzheimer's (and other dementias)
Mahakian, Jane
Kuhn, Alyson
Paperback
North American Birds Picture Book: Dementia Activities for Seniors (30 Premium Pictures on 70lb Paper With Names) (Large Print Edition)
Melgren, Jacqueline
Paperback
The Youngest Bee: A Louisiana Story of Sisterhood, Strength, and Alzheimer's
Evans, Virginia
Paperback
Reminiscing 1960s America: Memory Lane Picture Book For Seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer's patients. (Large Print Edition)
Melgren, Jacqueline
Paperback
Is It Alzheimer's?: 101 Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions about Memory Loss and Dementia
Rabins, Peter V.
Paperback
The Sage's Tao Te Ching, 20th Anniversary Edition: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life
Martin, William
Paperback
Is It Alzheimer's?: 101 Answers to Your Most Pressing Questions about Memory Loss and Dementia
Rabins, Peter V.
Hardcover
Strength Training for Seniors: Increase Your Balance, Stability, and Stamina to Rewind the Aging Process
Waehner, Paige
Paperback
The Sage's Tao Te Ching, 25th Anniversary Edition: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life
Martin, William
Paperback
Diagnosis Dementia: Your Guide for Eldercare Planning and Crisis Management
Smith, Nicole J.
Paperback
Mildred's Mindset: Wisdom from a Woman Centenarian
Kirschenbaum, Gayle
Kirschenbaum, Mildred
Paperback
The Healing of a Caregiver: The Road to Acceptance and Recovery From the Loss of a Loved One
Palmer, Patrick
Paperback
The Caregiver's Companion: Caring for Your Loved One Medically, Financially and Emotionally While Caring for Yourself
Brent, Carolyn A.
Paperback
Longevity Guidebook: How to Slow, Stop, and Reverse Aging - and NOT Die from Something Stupid
Diamandis, Peter H.
Paperback
What's Next in Your Life?: A Spiritual Guide to Retirement and Purposeful Aging
Briggs, James I.
Paperback
Information My Family Needs to Know (Folder - Simple 1-2-3 Kit)
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
How to Care for Aging Parents: A One-Stop Resource for All Your Medical, Financial, Housing, and Emotional Issues
Morris, Virginia
Paperback
Grandma Tell me your Story: A Guided Keepsake Journal for your Grandmother to share her Life & her Memories
Rossi, Erika
Vida, Ô. Linda
Paperback
With Love: A Practical Guide to Caring for Aging Parents Through the End of Life
Hofer, Shari
Kazmi, Shabnam
Paperback
Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One's Illness Without Losing Yourself
Chiaramonte, Delia
Paperback
A View from Life's Edge: Discovering What Really Matters with Older Women Across the Globe
Dempsey, Corinne G.
Paperback
AARP the Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with Your Adult Children about the Rest of Your Life
Prosch, Tim
Paperback
When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician's Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
Scott, Paula Spencer
Kernisan, Leslie
Paperback
Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults
Buchanan, Missy
Paperback
WHAT THE HELL DO I DO NOW? A Professionals' Guide to a Meaningful Retirement
White, R. Dean
Paperback
The Wisdom of Menopause (4th Edition): Creating Physical and Emotional Health During the Change
Northrup, Christiane
Paperback
Who Will Take Care of Me When I'm Old?: Plan Now to Safeguard Your Health and Happiness in Old Age
Loverde, Joy
Paperback
Love, Dignity, and Parkinson's: from Care Partner to Caregiver (Large Print Edition)
Pease, Terri
Paperback
Farm Life: a Picture Book In Large Print For Adults And Seniors (Large Print Edition)
Thornton, Nevada
Paperback
Inheritance Heists: Reclaim Your Family's Legacy and Fight Back Against Financial Predators
Hackard, Michael
Paperback
Day to Day Living with Dementia: A Mayo Clinic Guide for Offering Care and Support
Lunde, Angela M.
Paperback
The Housemates: Everything One Student Learnt about Love, Care and Dementia from Living in a Nursing Home
Toebes, Teun
Paperback
Heartwarming Short Stories for Seniors: Relaxing and Uplifting Short Stories for Seniors - Large Print Edition
Studio, Orvian
Vance, Owen R.
Paperback
Making Peace with Dementia: An Occupational Therapist's Formula for Optimizing Care and Restoring Calm
Olson, Ann
Paperback
Let's Talk about Aging Parents: A Real-Life Guide to Solving Problems with 27 Essential Conversations
Tamblyn Watts, Laura
Paperback
Reminiscing 1970s America: Memory Lane Picture Book for Seniors with Dementia and Alzheimer's Patients. (Large Print Edition)
Melgren, Jacqueline
Paperback
The Wall Street Journal. Complete Retirement Guidebook: How to Plan It, Live It and Enjoy It
Ruffenach, Glenn
Greene, Kelly
Paperback
Survive Your Husband's Retirement 2nd Edition: Tips on Staying Happily Married in Retirement
Hall, MS Nora R.
Paperback
Adult Coloring Books Swear words: Shut up twatwaffle: Escape the Bullshit of your day: Stress Relieving Swear Words black background Designs (Volume 1
Adult Colouring Books
Adult Coloring Books
Swear Word Coloring Book
Paperback
Aging or Alzheimer's?: A Doctor's Personal Guide to Memory Loss, Cognitive Decline, and Dementia
Frumkin, Kenneth
Hardcover
Cuando Llega El Alzheimer: Hacia La Comprensión Y Aceptación de Las Demencias En Las Familias / When Alzheimer's Arrives
Pintos, Natalí
Paperback
Beyond Bedrails and Bingo: Myths, Truths, and the Future of America's Nursing Homes
Devereaux, Dave
Paperback
The Mindful Grandparent: The Art of Loving Our Children's Children
Showalter, Shirley
McEntyre, Marilyn
Hardcover
Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations with Your Parents about Their Finances
Huddleston, Cameron
Hardcover