At Your Side

Take a closer look at the unpredictable world of elder care, and you will see people who cannot speak suddenly find their voices. They will not sit together but will happily sing together. They will not look at each other but share a prolonged hug after the meal is done. Take a closer look and you will see the beauty and the dignity of those in their final days.

In these sixteen vignettes, Forbes moves beyond the clinical charts and first impressions. She stands, sits and squats at the side of her elderly charges, in their homes, in hospitals and everywhere in between. Blending her love of the elderly with that of writing, the author honours the intimate moments of humour and humanity that arise when caring for society’s sometimes forgotten treasures.

Moving beyond the power of the vignettes, Forbes then brings together the threads of aging and humility as she seamlessly weaves in interviews, diverse sources and imagined lectures. These extra layers bring depth and understanding to what it means to age -- and to serve others.

At Your Side: A Collection of Final Days offers valuable insights and reflections on lives lived and the impacts that anyone can have on others at any stage of life. It will appeal to anyone who has cared for others, who seeks to, or expects to do so in future.