Final Approach
A Moving Memoir About Balancing Life and Caregiving with Love, Loss, and Resilience
In the blink of an eye, Jonathan Knaul’s world shifted from high-stakes military test flights to the intricate dance of caring for his aging mother with dementia.
Faced with navigating his mother’s health decline while honoring her fierce independence, Knaul found himself unprepared for the emotional and practical challenges ahead. As a decorated military test pilot, he was accustomed to split-second decisions, but caregiving demanded a different kind of courage and skill set.
Available everywhere on June 4th, 2025 in paperback, hardcover, ebook & audiobook.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Final Approach
by Jonathan Knaul
Giveaway ends June 04, 2025.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
The Numbers Behind The Issues:
%
Of caregivers in the U.S. Are Unpaid
Baby Boomers in the U.S. turn 65 every day
$67 Billion
Estimated lost earnings by family caregivers in the U.S.
“A majority of Americans cannot afford to take care of their families. They see it as their responsibility, and often their failure. To get by, they cobble together solutions, even quitting their jobs to look after a loved one – a newborn, a parent, a friend, or an in-law. Things are getting worse as baby boomers age into their 70s. We are facing a social crisis as America’s piecemeal and expensive care infrastructure, created a half century ago, has reached a breaking point.”
—AI-JEN POO & DR. BENJAMIN W. VEGHTE Architects of Universal Family Care, New York Times
Listen to the Preface of Final Approach Here
Final Approach is more than a caregiving memoir—
It’s a holistic guide taking readers from World War II history to end-of-life care to posthumous administration. Revealing intimate family stories from escaping Holocaust concentration camps to finding refuge in Canada, Knaul expertly intertwines three generations’ hard-won lessons with career crossroads he faced to become a caregiver for his mother.
Told through vivid storytelling with a keen eye on the realities of caregiving for loved ones, Final Approach arms readers with the knowledge and strategies you need to provide compassionate, effective care for your loved ones.
When you read Final Approach, you’ll learn:
01
Lessons of resilience and strength as one Jewish family survived Holocaust death marches, the London Blitz, and immigration to Canada.
02
The complexities of making difficult healthcare decisions for seniors, including when to transition to professional-care facilities and how to approach end-of-life care.
03
The importance of preserving a loved one’s dignity and quality of life, even in their final days.
04
Extensive practical advice for caregivers, including home safety, music therapy, medical issues, and ways to handle administrative and financial matters both during caregiving and after a loved one’s passing.
05
How caregivers can handle mistakes, burnout, and recovery with grace and acceptance.
When you’re thrust into the role of a caregiver, balancing your own life with the needs of an ailing loved one can feel overwhelmingly impossible. Final Approach is an essential read for anyone facing the responsibility of caring for aging loved ones. This heartfelt and candid read will guide you through the turbulent skies of caregiving with compassion, rich stories, and practical advice. Read Final Approach and find the support and solutions you need to care for your loved ones.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Final Approach
by Jonathan Knaul
Giveaway ends June 04, 2025.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See what others have to say about Final Approach
“With honesty, humor and heart, Final Approach weaves together family history, military experiences, and practical caregiving advice into an inspiring testament to love, duty and the human spirit. This book is an essential read for anyone facing the difficult but rewarding task of caring for elderly loved ones.”
Julio Frenk, MD, PhD
Chancellor University of California at Los Angeles
Christian Drouin, CMM, MSC, CD, U.S. LOM(2),
Major-General (Retired), Royal Canadian Air Force
Scott Clancy, OMM, MSM, CD, U.S. LOM,
Major-General (Retired), Royal Canadian Air Force
Chris Hadfield
Pilot, Astronaut, Author
Barry Goldlist, MD, FRCPC, FACP, AGSF, FCGS,
Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto
Cinde Lock, PhD,
Head of School, Pickering College
Available June 4th, 2025
Pre-Order Final Approach Today
Meet the Author
Jonathan Knaul, PhD, CD, draws on his experience as both a military test pilot and caregiver in this deeply personal memoir. While navigating a demanding 33-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces, Knaul cared for his mother through her journey with dementia. At age 15, he cared for his father through terminal cancer. Knaul’s unique perspective bridges the worlds of high-stakes aviation and compassionate eldercare. Knaul’s story offers valuable insights for those balancing professional responsibilities with the challenges of caregiving. Retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as of 2019, Knaul works as a test pilot instructor at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, California.
Jonathan Knaul, PhD, CD
Understand Your Loved One’s Needs with This Personalized Caregiving Plan
How to best understand your loved one's needs
And then be able to build a routine that is tailored to your loved one and brings them comfort.
Guided Prompts to understand their personal preferences
Spend some time talking to your loved one about their personal preferences.
Steps to create an emergency preparedness plan
Learn how to prepare for the worst to ensure you and your loved one are taken care of.
Download the free PDF to get the personalized caregiving plan for your loved one today.
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