No one really expects it, but at some time or another, just about everyone has been--or will be--responsible for giving care, for a sustained period, to someone close to them. Gail Sheehy, who has chronicled every major turning point for twentieth-century Americans, as well as reported on everything from politics to sexuality, knows firsthand the trials, fears, and rare joys of caregiving. Here, she takes you by the hand and shows you that you will get through this, and you will do the right things. Sheehy identifies eight crucial stages of caregiving and offers insight for successfully navigating each one. Most important, however, she points out that you don't have to be alone in this process. This book can help turn a stressful, life-altering situation into a journey that can be safely navigated and from which everyone can benefit.