Caring for a loved one at home. What’s really involved? And what does it mean for your family and future? Tens of millions of Americans have had these questions and more as they prepare for this unsettling yet necessary task. The Family Caregiver’s Guide fills in the gaps, connecting the dots between research and real life. Drawing on the author’s extensive caregiving experience, this book provides strategies to care for your loved one, inside and out, as well as for yourself—including how to use your natural skills in your new role, and which skills you may need to add. You’ll discover how to set up your home for caregiving, including a safety checklist, equipment suggestions, and words you should know. And for those days that are more than a handful, you’ll find positive affirmations, a section on facing and accepting illness, and smart steps at the end of each chapter, in case you need guidance in a hurry. Caregiving has both rewards and challenges. But through it all, you’ll discover what’s most important—that caregiving is love in action.

"Includes free access to download forms kit"--cover.

A complete, step-by-step guide offering problem-solving and coping skills applicable to every caregiver’s unique circumstances. Drawing from over twenty-five years of experience, Levy provides caregivers with a model for effective planning and problem-solving, focusing on the nonclinical aspects of caregiving, which are often neglected by medical professionals: Caring for young and old victims of disability, illness, and chronic disorders Finding ways to make our healthcare system work Assembling core information about a loved one's life Developing a realistic view of how much care a loved one needs today and may need tomorrow, and understanding that continuum of care Locating resources that can make a difference in making sure a loved one's care-needs are met Finding a good family caregiver support group Overcoming the roadblocks the caregiver's feelings of distress and failure can create Taking a practical approach to that overused phrase "Take care of yourself." David Levy, JD is a gerontologist and a recognized family caregiver expert. Levy holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator in family caregiving and a certified Family Conflict Dynamics Profiler. He facilitates weekly family caregiver support groups and counsels family caregivers, both pro bono and privately.

EMBARK ON A COMPASSIONATE JOURNEY THROUGH YOUR LOVED ONE'S TWILIGHT YEARS At the heart of every family is the profound bond shared with our aging parents, a bond that becomes both clearer and more delicate as the sunset of their lives approaches. "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" is a beacon of wisdom, meant to guide you through the complexities and emotional tides of becoming a caregiver. This pivotal guide is your ally, from witnessing the early signs of your parents needing assistance to managing the crescendo of their medical and emotional needs. Delve into Chapter 1, "Recognizing the Shifts," where you'll learn to spot the early indicators pointing to your parents' need for care, setting the stage to initiate that all-important conversation with empathy and foresight. Transitioning to Chapter 2, "The Basics of Caregiving," equips you with the knowledge to understand your role and set expectations that honor both you and your parents. Legal and financial planning steps appear in Chapter 3, presenting essential documents and benefit navigation as pillars of your caregiving foundation. Discover within Chapter 4 the heart and soul of the caregiver's emotional journey, as you learn to gracefully handle role reversals and resistance. The practical wisdom flows into health and medical needs in Chapter 5, ensuring routine care and emergency response become second nature to you. The valuable At-Home Care Strategies of Chapter 6 offer actionable advice for creating a safe and nurturing home environment. As the pages turn, you'll be methodically prepared for the eventuality of assisted living, home care, and end-of-life considerations, and-most importantly-maintaining your well-being through the chapters dedicated to avoiding burnout, seeking support, and staying connected. With comprehensive resource directories and checklists, this book is not merely a guide but a companion on your journey. Empathetic and empowering, "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" is your transformative guide for honoring your parent's golden years with dignity, love, and unwavering support. Embrace the path ahead with confidence - your odyssey of care awaits.

Every year, 65 million people give care to their frail, ailing, or disabled loved ones. Whether caregiving begins with a crisis or builds gradually, spouses, adult children, parents with sick children, even children themselves who care for parents and grandparents can find themselves struggling to navigate the often-confusing medical world while neglecting their own health and well-being. How can caregivers care for themselves when they are consumed with tending to someone else? This indispensible guide offers the information, support, and resources needed to achieve this difficult balance. In addition to advice on maintaining one's own health and relieving stress, topics include medical terms and procedures, tips for doctor visits, ways to avoid mistakes in medicines, safety around the home, and the most common health problems. A list of resources and samples of important medical documents complete this essential manual.

Caring for a parent whose health is in decline turns the world upside down. The emotional fallout can be devastating, but it doesn't have to be that way. Empathic guidance from an expert who's been there can help. Through an account of two sisters and their ailing mother--interwoven with no-nonsense advice--The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers helps family members navigate tough decisions and make the most of their time together as they care for an aging parent. The author urges readers to be honest about the level of commitment they're able to make and emphasizes the need for clear communication within the family. While acknowledging their guilt, stress, and fatigue, he helps caregivers reaffirm emotional connections worn thin by the routine of daily care. This compassionate book will help families everywhere avoid burnout and preserve bonds during one of life's most difficult passages.

Designed for both new registered nurses and nurses transitioning to a new clinical area, this extensive clinical reference is the only resource to provide essential information on more than 300 topics from 11 specialty areas. Concise and practical entries provide fundamental coverage of the most common clinical problems and issues encountered in nursing practice today. Key leaders in clinical content areas authored content on emergency and critical care, geriatric nursing, health systems and health promotion, medical surgical nursing, neonatal nursing, nurse anesthesia, obstetrics and women’s health, palliative care, perioperative nursing, pediatric nursing, and psychiatric mental health nursing. Alphabetized for easy access, each entry includes a definition and description of the clinical problem, etiology, nursing assessment, related problems, interventions, nursing management and evaluation, and safety considerations. The Considerations section of each topic focuses on the role of the nurse throughout the treatment process, and discusses the role of other health care providers with a focus on multidisciplinary treatment. Intended primarily for university and hospital libraries, A Guide to Mastery in Clinical Nursing will also be of value to nursing faculty, undergraduate and graduate-level nurses and nursing students at all levels. Key Features: Provides essential information on over 300 clinical topics from 11 specialty areas Offers key knowledge for nurses new to practice or working in an unfamiliar nursing area Presented in a consistent format for ease of use Includes an overview of each specialty area Focuses on the role of the nurse throughout the treatment process Written and edited by expert clinicians and educators in each clinical area