Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers

My five star rating for this book is because when it was published and when I first read it it was uptodate and a leader for resources. Very few books were written to give those who care for loved ones places to find answers. Most available books concentrated on specific conditions and the patients. Also at the time, the web didn't have the helpful, informative sites of today. Personally, I would love to see Mrs. Carter update the book to include the email adresses and web sites for the sources listed.

My mother had been having a series of TIA's when I found this book. Several months later she had a full fledged stroke. I was her main caregiver until she required full time skilled care outside the home. When she was hospitalized and then in a nursing home setting, I continued to be her medical surrogate. As such, I found this book not only a wealth of information, but also a great inspiration. Much of the encouragement and advice given, falls in line with the Hospice literature I received in the final month of my mother's life. It is important for caregivers to understand there are places to receive help to let them care for themselves besides the patient. It can all be so overwhelming to try to do it all and so unnecessary to be alone. Beyond that, the book helps to educate to be able to ask questions about medical, social, emotional, and economic issues to insure the best quality care.

This volume is filled with love and respect and I cannot recommend it enough. I even donated a copy to our local library.