Kimberly Foster delivers a story rooted in dignity, guiding older adults toward renewed comfort, purpose, and everyday joy as they navigate significant life transitions.
Drawing from her own caregiving journey, author Kimberly Foster presents I Can Do Things On My Own: A Gentle and Comforting Book for Elders, an illustrated narrative crafted to support seniors dealing with grief, isolation, memory loss, or cognitive difficulties. The story follows a character named Pop in the wake of his beloved wife’s death, gently exploring how simple pleasures, purposeful activities, friendships, and companionship can help someone rediscover meaning. Its core theme revolves around dignity and the hopeful idea that life can still hold fulfilling moments after a profound shift.
Through Pop’s experiences, I Can Do Things On My Own: A Gentle and Comforting Book for Elders highlights achievable tasks that build confidence and connection. Music, reading, pets, social bonds, and daily routines serve as reminders that independence doesn’t have to equal solitude. Foster designed the book with accessible large-type text and clear illustrations suited for adult readers, avoiding any childish tone. The narrative can also spark conversation and reflection among seniors, family members, caregivers, grandchildren, and memory care professionals.
The idea for I Can Do Things On My Own: A Gentle and Comforting Book for Elders emerged directly from Foster’s family situation. Her in-laws moved into her household while her mother-in-law was in the final stages of ALS. During that time, Foster’s family realized that her father-in-law was also living with dementia—a condition his wife had previously helped hide and manage. After her mother-in-law passed away, repeated explanations about ALS and her death were hard for him to retain, which led to ongoing confusion and distress.
Foster responded by crafting a personalized illustrated book that described her in-laws’ life together, ALS, and what had happened to his wife in simple, soothing language. Her father-in-law embraced the book, reading it aloud repeatedly and using it to revisit details whenever his memory couldn’t provide the comfort he needed. That experience motivated Foster to develop resources for other families. I Can Do Things On My Own: A Gentle and Comforting Book for Elders was further informed by watching him adapt to life without his wife’s constant presence after 57 years of marriage. Foster writes with families and caregivers in mind, acknowledging that seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive decline may rely on others to find supportive materials. I Can Do Things On My Own: A Gentle and Comforting Book for Elders is aimed especially at those helping an older loved one adjust to a new home, cope with the loss of a spouse, or discover fulfilling ways to spend time alone. Through Pop’s tender journey, Foster offers a compassionate reminder that changing circumstances need not strip away dignity, joy, connection, or purpose.
The book is available at:
https://a.co/d/0gXnmEMr
For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:
Kimberly Foster
BrightKey PR
email us here
