Shelly Beach

Caring.com Expert

About

Shelly Beach, MRE, is a graduate of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary; a Christy Award-winning author of seven books; and national speaker on faith, writing, and caregiving issues. She is also a major contributor to the New International Version Stewardship Study Bible as well as The Holy Bible: Mosaic. Her caregiving releases, Precious Lord, Take My Hand: Meditations for Caregivers and Ambushed by Grace: Help and Hope on the Caregiving Journey, are drawn from her eight years providing in-home care for her father-in-law with Parkinson's and mother with Alzheimer's.

Beach is a host for roundtable discussions that address caregiving questions on the website Help for My Life. She presents seminars and conferences in medical, educational, religious, and support settings such as Gilda's Clubs and the ALS Association. She appears regularly on radio and television across the nation. Beach is also cofounder of the Cedar Falls Christian Writer's Workshop in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and the Breathe Christian Writer's Workshop in Grand Haven, Michigan. Beach is a member of the Advanced Speakers and Writers Association, Christian Women Speakers, and the Christian Authors Network.

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Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Thursday July 07, 2011

    1. Where can I find a pastory to come and give my father communion in hospice care?

      Answer - How wonderful that your father’s been taken off of hospice care. It appears that you’ve invested in your dad’s physical, emotional, and spiritual health over many years and are continuing to do so as you look for a pastor to administer com...

  2. Tuesday April 19, 2011

    1. My mother visits the cemetery everyday and talks to dad, when should I start to worry about her?

      Answer - Your mother is expressing her grief in a way that gives many individuals comfort – visiting the graveside of a loved one she’s lost. Talking to dead loved ones helps some survivors move through the stages of grief, even though they’d admit that their loved ones aren’t really “there.” Interestingly, erestingly...

  3. Wednesday January 19, 2011

    1. After my mother passed, I dreamed she visited me, and was becoming an angel.

      Answer - Dreaming about passed loved ones visiting us is a fairly common experience, whether or not we may believe in an afterlife. No matter our theological view, we all long to know those we love are at peace and have been released from the pain, sorrow, and suffering of this world after death...

  4. Monday November 29, 2010

    1. Can stopping all medications be considered suicide?

      Answer - Your circumstances must be extremely painful for you to have made the difficult decision to stop taking your medications while questioning whether or not your actions were considered suicide. My hope and prayer is that you are surrounded by supportive friends and family as you worked through your choice...

  5. Tuesday October 19, 2010

    1. Are there any Christian resources to use for an Alzheimer's bible study group?

      Answer - I'm unaware of Bible study materials specifically written for Christians diagnosed with Alzheimer's who are looking for a support group. But resources do exist that can be effectively used to meet the needs of Christians facing terminals diseases like Alzheimer's.

  6. Monday September 20, 2010

    1. Should I go to Dad's funeral even if my family say I'm not welcome?

      Answer - I understand your frustration over the conflict with your family regarding attending your parent's funeral. Your circumstances are certainly complex.

  7. Monday August 16, 2010

    1. What can I do for my Dad now that he can't physically make it to church?

      Answer - Church and worship are obviously important to your dad, and your sensitivity to his needs is reflected in your desire to honor him by continuing to provide for his spiritual nurture. Church is important for the homebound, and it's important that those who have been involved in church to remain linked to their faith communities...

  8. Thursday June 17, 2010

    1. What's a good prayer to say when you visit someone who is very ill?

      Answer - Thank you for your commitment to your aunt and taking the time to visit her in a care setting. Nursing home visits can contribute to self-worth and offset feelings of depression, as well as extend hope and encouragement. Your interest in "nursing home prayers"--or prayers specifically targeted to her needs--reflects your sensitivity to her life circumstances...

  9. Sunday June 06, 2010

    1. How can I keep my faith to make it through another day?

      Answer - You’re facing one of life’s most difficult challenges, and your feelings of ambivalence, doubt, and fear are common. May I express my support and prayers for you at this painful time in your life.

  10. Monday May 17, 2010

    1. How do I support my friend whose spouse has cancer?

      Answer - When we hear that a loved one, friend, or their spouse has received a terminal diagnosis, we’re often reluctant to talk to them out of concern that we might say the wrong thing or be unable to give comforting answers for their pain and approaching lo...

  11. Wednesday April 07, 2010

    1. Will living with a dying grandfather undermine a child's faith?

      Answer - Caring for a terminally ill family member brings stress to families, and children look to us as parents to see the nature of compassion and faith. They absorb what they see reflected in us as parents, but they also have unique needs.

  12. Friday March 12, 2010

    1. Should I go to mass for my dad, even if I don't believe in it any longer?

      Answer - It's admirable that you want to honor your father by spending time with him, even though you've had a difficult relationship in the past. The Bible speaks about the importance of honoring parents, and sometimes we have to choose to give things up and lay things down in order to serve others...

  13. Friday March 05, 2010

    1. Why would God allow my mother to suffer?

      Answer - The question of why God allows suffering is one most of us will wrestle with at one point or another, especially if those we love are hurting and people we love and admire like your mom. And while we sometimes can come up with logical reasons for pain, sickness, and tragedy, the truth of the matter is...