Books and Resources
Most caregivers want ONE RESOURCE that answers all of their questions, lowers the stress, and stops the craziness. There is no such thing. The number of websites, books, experts, videos, podcasts, and agencies is broad and deep, and getting richer every day. Caregivers must devote some time exploring the resources for answers.
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And, don’t believe you’ll always find the perfect answer! If you do find it, good for you. What you’ll usually find is a little bit of this and a little bit of that that works for you.
When caregiving makes you crazy!, you don’t believe you have the time to spend learning. You want the answer NOW! But, you’d be surprised how much you can find with 15 minutes of searching on the Internet.
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A key question is, “What do I need to know?”
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Take a moment to form the question and you can usually find the answer.
> Are you looking for community resources to help with respite, financial challenges, available services, or hands-on care? Check with your local or state department of health and human services and ask for the caregiver specialist.
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> Do you have condition-specific questions about Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), dementia, Parkinson’s, or other conditions? Each condition usually has a national association assisting and supporting sufferers and caregivers.
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> Does your question relate to hands-on caring for your caree? If so, some YouTube.com videos may help.
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> Have you met with an elder law attorney to discuss legal and financial challenges? The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys maintains an online directory of elder law attorneys across the country. Visit naela.org.
WEBSITES
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www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/
AARP, the nation’s largest retiree organization, has an excellent resource section.
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www.caregivingclub.com/the-men-of-caregiving/
Caregiving Club is full of helpful content. Check out their blog post, The Men of Caregiving, which reminds us that men are not forgotten in the caregiving discussion.
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www.caregiver.org/resource/depression-and-caregiving/
Family Caregiver Alliance has provided services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments for more than 40 years. This link provides resources about depression and caregiving.
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National Alliance for Caregiving provides excellent information, education, research, and advocacy for caregivers. This advocacy group includes about 70 caregiver alliances from all over the country.
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www.helpguide.org/home-pages/family-caregiving.htm
HelpGuide.org provides evidence-based mental health information, resources, and tools.
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www.nextavenue.org/category/caregiving/
NextAvenue has excellent articles about all aspects of caregiving.
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www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=caregiver&rs=rs
www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=caregiving
Pinterest sites that do a great job of lifting spirits.
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Today’s Caregiver magazine is a great source of information and help for caregivers.
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www.caregiver.va.gov/help_landing.asp
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' VA Caregiver Support Program offers a toll-free support line and information related to caregiving and supports and services for veterans.
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YouTube is a font of information provide as videos. Search keywords such as caregiver, caregiving, self-care, how to ____.
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BOOKS
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It seems there are new books being published every day to help caregivers. Simply going to amazon.com and searching the keywords caregiving and caregiver will offer a wide range of offerings. Below are some of the best I’ve encountered. Skim the titles and pay attention to the ones that seem to speak to you.
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The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementing Illness and Memory Loss in Later Life | Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins
Are Your Parents Driving You Crazy? | Joseph A. Ilardo, Carole R. Rothman
A Caregiver’s Companion: Ministering to Older Adults | J. Daniel Dymski
Caregiver’s Encyclopedia: A Compassionate Guide to Caring for Older Adults | Muriel R. Gillick M.D.
The Caregiver Survival Series | James R. Sherman
> Preventing Caregiver Burnout
> Patience Pays Off
> Positive Caregiver Attitudes
> The Magic of Humor In Caregiving
> Coping With Caregiver Worries
Caregiving for the Genius: Understand the Journey Inside and Out | Jane W. Barton
Caregiving: Hospice—Proven Techniques for Healing Body and Soul | Douglas C. Smith
Caregiving Ties That Bind | Gary Barg
Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul: Stories to Inspire Caregivers in the Home, Community and the World | Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, LeAnn Thieman
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers: 101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice, and Bonding | Joan Lunden, Amy Newmark
Complete Idiot’s Guide: Caring for Aging Parents | Linda Colvin Rhodes
Creative Caregiving | James R. Sherman
Cruising Through Caregiving: Reducing the Stress of Caring for Your Loved One | Jennifer L. FitzPatrick
Dementia: A Practical Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Illnesses | Leonard L. Heston, M.D., June A. White
The Fearless Caregiver | Gary Barg
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Fourteen Friends' Guide to Eldercaring: Practical Advice, Inspiration, Shared Experiences, Space for Your Thoughts | The Fourteen Friends
Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers | Rosalynn Carter
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How to Care for Aging Parents: A One-Stop Resource for All Your Medical, Financial, Housing, and Emotional Issues | Virginia Morris
Meditations for Caregivers: Practical, Emotional, and Spiritual Support for You and Your Family | Barry J. Jacobs, Julia L. Mayer
Passages In Caregiving: Turning Chaos Into Confidence | Gail Sheehy
Self-Care for Caregivers: A Twelve Step Approach | Pat Samples, Diane Larsen, Marvin Larsen
Self-Nurture: Learning to Care for Yourself as Effectively as You Care for Everyone Else | Alice D. Domar
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Stepping Up: A Companion and Guide for Family Caregivers | Cenetta J. Lee, Gloria Carr
Surviving Your Spouse’s Chronic Illness: A Compassionate Guide | Chris McGonigle
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The Unofficial Guide to Eldercare | Chris Adamec
Who Says Men Don’t Care: A Man’s Guide to Balanced and Guilt-Free Caregiving | James V. Gambone, Rhonda Travland
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