Families experiencing the stress of a chronic or serious illness typically find themselves forced to make many life-altering decisions, and often with little time to contemplate the best course of action. This book serves as a practical guide to help what all of us will one day experience when we find ourselves sorting through the complex maze of obtaining good health care. Unlike other books written by doctors, nurses, and chaplains, this book comes from the perspective of a social worker who knows first hand the struggles families experience with obtaining the right information so that good decisions can be made. Written with the idea in mind that the reader may be experiencing an exorbitant amount of stress, the book is laid out in direct, straightforward, and easy language to help with the following:good communication with the health care teamestablishment of goals for care and getting everyone on boardthe different ways to ensure you're heard when you can't speak for yourselfwhat to do (and not to do) during a hospitalizationthe secrets to selecting a good nursing homewhat to do when someone refuses to go to a nursinghomechoices available when a situation becomes terminalhow to help prevent a financial crisis during a health crisisways to get needed medications when you can't afford itThis is a book that all of us will need someday if not now.