Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late!
Doing the Right Thing serves as a one-stop resource for readers navigating the task of assisting aging loved ones, offering practical tips, housing comparisons, checklists, and thoughtful advice to help families make informed, compassionate choices with less stress and confusion. Why was this an important book for you to write?
In 1995, when I first started this journey, I learned so much through trial-and-error. I knew that if I was having problems with the quality and accuracy of people who work in the seniors’ field, I knew that other adult chilldren would find it frustrating, too. I wrote the book to educate and empower adult children to be advocates for their loved ones. I made it as easy as possible to find information quickly. No one has time to wade through a 400-page tome looking for the answers!
How have your personal experiences and background as a Certified Senior Advisor(CSA), Certified Aging in Place Specialist(CAPS), and as a real estate Associate Broker helped you to write this book?
I was already in real estate helping seniors and adult children sell the family home. I completed coursework to become a Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist to learn even more! The designations provide useful information that is “book-learned” rather than “street-smarts”. Both approaches have helped me better serve others. I can relate to the stres and frustration an adult child feels, and the overwhelming emotions the loved one feels when facing this next phase of life.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
(a). Each situation is unique to that person or family, but the resources to help are widely available;
(b). Learn and practice patience! Don’t try to “take charge” of your loved one’s situation. They may have already thought about it but are hesitant to discuss.
(c). Keep going! You do the best you can with what you have and it’s enough!
(d). Don’t hesitate to reach out for help
(e). You may think you have time but life (for you and your loved one) can change quickly! You can reschedule a meeting or change vacation plans, but a call about your parent(s) must be faced right away.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Doing the Right Thing?
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late! Familiarize yourself with as much as you can! The process won’t be completed overnight!
Author Links: LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Reddit
Caring for a loved one is stressful, but necessary. I know, I’ve been there many times. There are new situations, new issues, and new decisions to make every day. When you don’t know what to expect or what questions to ask, it can be a frustrating feeling, and your emotions can often affect your decisions.
This book provides resources and information to guide you in caring for your aging loved one. The information includes information I wish I had known many years ago when I started my journey of caring for several relatives.
Here are a few things you’ll learn:
How to develop a master list of the information you need from your loved ones before they become incapacitated or die, and what steps to take once they pass.
The importance of a will or trust.
The types of housing choices for your loved one and how to decide what’s best.
The forty-plus questions to ask an assisted living facility.
How to decide what items to sell, donate, or give away. The twenty-five questions to ask an estate sale company.
Resources to ease your stress, especially if you don’t live close to your loved one. How to cope with grief.
By reading this practical guide, you can educate and empower yourself to do the best you can–before it’s too late!
Posted on August 7, 2025, in Interviews and tagged aging parents, author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Debbie C. Miller, Doing the Right Thing: Simple Solutions, ebook, eldercare, Essential Tips & Helpful Resources for Assisting Aging Loved Ones, Estate Planning Laws for Wills, Estates & Trusts Law, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nonfiction, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, writer, writing. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
LITERARY TITAN 
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Debbie Miller, Associate Broker
Corcoran McEnearney
Providing Housing Solutions for Northern Virginia Retirees since 1995
703-328-0143
Certified Senior Advisor
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)