Second Wind

by Neil B. Shulman

About the Anyone who thinks nursing homes are depressing places to visit hasn't been to Milly's Merry Roost - or any other elder care community for that matter! Nursing Homes are not only full of hilarious stories but they're also filled with the wonderful people who have lived them. Open the first page of Second Wind and start reading about the colorful characters who play out the story of a group of elderly people - and some younger folks - who have gotten a second wind. Neil Shulman is a medical doctor, was a medical director of a nursing home and author of many books including Doc Hollywood. He currently travels the country with his one-man comedy act based primarily on personal experience. P.K. Beville, a clinician specializing in geriatrics and founder of Second Wind Dreams is a champion of eldercare. She travels the country making dreams come true and raising awareness about the needs of Alzheimer's care. The characters and stories in Second Wind are based on actual events. Second Wind Dreams, a nonprofit organization, makes dreams come true for elders in long term care and is the home of the award winning Virtual Dementia Tour. Changing the perception of aging through dreams and innovative programming is what they are all about. Second Wind Dreams organizes and motives elder care communities to find out what their residents dream about and using their local communities as a resource, sets out to fulfill each dream. From dinner at a local favorite restaurant to a visit with a long lost friend, each dream gives all involved a Second Wind. Please visit www.secondwind.org

Paperback

First published December 28, 2013

Reviews

[beauxmots · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a book I had at home and was curious about reading for a long time. Kind of boring but the stories are a bit amusing and sometimes funny/silly - a nursing home is not what you think itd be all the time, I guess! Who knew? Fun to read about George and Gladys and Johnnie’s antics and the blooming of Tommy from a delinquent to a potential star.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is that nursing homes don't have to be depressing places and the people in them have interesting life stories. That may be true, but it doesn't change the fact that many people in nursing homes are there because they are bed-ridden and/or have dementia, which is barely acknowledged in the book. Neil Shulman is a doctor, so presumably he based this book on actual people he knew. The characters are interesting enough, but the plot is stupid. It's all just too good to be true, with the juvenile delinquent planning to become a doctor, and the big box store riding to the rescue at the end.