Reviews (3)

A wonderful guide for the Alzheimer's caregiver
This book is indeed "a practical guide" for not only getting through each day, but also making each one better than it might have been otherwise. The chapters on communication and cueing will help in developing skills that will help make each day more pleasant, as will the chapters on preventing stress and managing problem behaviors. I was especially impressed with the "What If" questions in chapter seven, for example "What if you went to bed and didn't know whether it was nighttime or daytime? What if you woke up from a nap in the afternoon and thought it was time for breakfast? What if you became frightened or lost in a darkened room?" (p. 62)--these questions help us to imagine what it's like for an Alzheimer's patient. All of this, plus the day-to-day, eating, sleeping, hygiene, and even exercise, is covered in this book by Barbara J. Bridges, an RN who spent fourteen years caring for both her parents. I highly recommend this book for all caregivers.

Nice mix of the professional, the practical, the personal.,
I read this book during the first half of my 9-year caregiving ordeal with an AD parent and found it useful in managing many immediate problems as well as preparing me for the inevitable. The author does not devote questionable space to vitamins, herbs, medications believed by some to retard the progress of the disease but concentrates on the human aspects, looking at things from the afflicted's perspective as much as the caregiver's. A qualified medical professional, she balances practical advice with expressing her own emotions about her personal relationship with her mother. I would have to qualify my endorsement of the book somewhat by observing that the disease can wreak greater havoc, can take a more unpredictable, disturbing course than that suggested by the author's experience, which is perhaps a bit on the "tidy" side. Also, I would have appreciated more specific warnings about the practices of nursing homes as well as suggestions about securing professional medical care for someone with AD, especially when the patient is too sick to go to a physician's office but not sick enough to be admitted to a hospital. Far too often individuals in this position are treated only for "behavioral" problems (ie. sedating drugs) at the expense of their overall health and physical condition.

Creates structure to support patient's function & confidence
It says right up front that this is not a book about caring for the caregiver; this one focuses on the patient with dementing illness in an almost businesslike fashion. It's a refreshing approach. While the patients in the book are relatively advanced in the illness, be aware that the techniques would be especially fruitful if adopted EARLY in the illness -- they create good habits. It was useful to have an insight into the emotional state of a confused episode and to be reminded that the patient truly wants and needs to retain function. The advice is to resist the urge to do everything for them! And the tips show how to help them continue to do for themselves.

The techniques are great, though there are far too few examples of "cueing", considering the importance of that particular technique. The reference section or author's web site may address this.

A very good book for taking positive action in caring for dementia patients! ... Read more

Book Description

You Don't Have to Do It Alone
Whether you're prepared for it or not, chances are you'll take on the role of caregiver when a family member or friend is affected by a serious illness or injury, or when you find your elderly parent needs help. As you'll soon discover, the range of tasks and responsibilities involved are overwhelming. Share The Care offers a sensible and loving solution: a unique group approach that can turn a circle of ordinary people into a powerful caregiving team. Share The Care shows you how to:

• Create a caregiver "family" from friends, real family members, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances.
• Hold a meeting to organize your group, and introduce members to the Share The Care systems that guarantee every job will be done and no one person will have to do too much.
• Discover the hidden talents within the group, make the most of their resources, cope with group issues, and stay together in the face of adversity.

Included here are valuable guidelines, compassionate suggestions, and a simple-to-use workbook section that together offer support to free the patient from worry and the caregivers from burnout. Share The Care offers friends and family the best answer ever to the frequently asked question "What can I do?" ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This book will get you on the right path!
This book was truly a blessing to our family. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) a year ago. Her brother found this book and passed it on to us. Using this book as a guide, we created a "Share the Care" group to help meet all of her needs - both physical and emotional. Our group now has over 40 members - some people take regular shifts during the week, others just help in ways that they can, like bringing over dinner once in while.

Often times, friends and family of the ill want to help, but they don't know how - this book helps to organize a group that can "share the care" so that everything doesn't fall on one or two people. It prevents the "burn out" that can occur with care giving.

When you read this book, it's important to remember that it is a guide. Stay flexible enough to use what works and mold a group that will work for your specific situation instead of gettting frustrated if you find that certain aspects of the program are not working for your group.

The bottom line is that this book will get you on the right path to making a difficult time much more manageable. Good luck!

This book will move you past the fear of a fearsome illness.
I have previously done all this, organizing a group of 32 people. This book would have been a godsend. The only thing I can add is: Keep a journal in the home of the person who is ill so each caregiver can leave a message for the person who takes the next shift. Include the feelings... calm, agitation, worries, the food taken or refused, the little touches that made a difference, the massage or the body that hurt too much, the closet straightened or bathroom cleaned as well as the medicines taken or refused. It greatly helps the group to feel together and to support each other, and helps the incoming person step into the flow.

light at the beginning (and end) of the tunnel
This is far and away the most hopeful book I've ever encountered on heavy duty outpatient care-giving. When faced with an eldercare or illness care crisis, did you ever think you would hear the words "You don't have to..." without feeling guilt? Well, read on. "You don't have to do things you don't want to do, you don't have to do things you are afraid to do, you don't have to do things you feel you're not good at," say our authors. "The power is in the group. Among all of you is the solution to any problem."

Between these covers is a complete how-to manual on setting up a care-sharing group that will continue to function for several years if necessary and out of which everyone emerges enriched. Too good to be true? I certainly hope not. The advice sounds hard-headed and real. The authors first introduce you to the case that launched their method, that of a terminally ill cancer patient friend. Hearing how well their approach worked is an eye-opener in itself. Then they get right down to the nuts and bolts of how to organize a care-giving group for one's own situation.. It takes planning. It takes nerve. It takes paperwork. And you have to think big - don't invite just a few intimate friends to your first meeting, invite absolutely everyone you can think of! (You' d be suprised who sticks around.) But the alternative - that of the classic 36 hr day for one or two hapless family members - is so clearly worse that you might as well try it. Hey, I have elderly parents and I'm about to send copies of this book to all my siblings.

Will appeal to: anyone with a situation on their hands.

Practical and clearly written
This book is being used by a group of about 30 women (and a few men) to organize the care for a friend who is in stage 4 breast cancer. Our friend has decided to decline further aggressive treatment and wants to live out the rest of her life at home with as much love, dignity and well-being as possible. We (her friends) are dedicated to helping her do this and this book is our guide. It has something for everyone, from suggesting emotional bonding exercises and the do's and don't of conversation with terminally ill people to the practicality of providing forms to organize grocery shopping and other mundane day to day needs. It has been great for our group to support our friend and each other as we share the care.

This book truly helped our family...
I would just like to take a minute to say how absolutely wonderful this book is. I am 22 years old, and my Aunt Linda came out of remission from MS this Christmas. Her husband, a firefighter, her daughter, to be married, and her son, accepted to MSU this fall, all had lives that ceased at the moment of her reoccurring illness. I do not work, but I am married and found myself just like Sheila Warnock, devoting my entire life to my Aunt, or in her case Susand. Around the month of May, I began to get worried, "Will I ever get my life back?" That's when my Cousin & Uncle found a rewiew of the book, "Share the Care." Since this book, my life has completly changed. My Aunt's life has changed and so has her immediate family's life changed. We organized the group the way that the book layed out. And now have over 30 members devoting their time to care for someone they love. How wonderful for these two ambitious ladies to have taken the time to help so many others in their same situation. I too now help others set up their own "Share The Care" groups to help their loved ones. This book is truly a great one. If you have a family member, or know of someone who needs care, please, please buy this book, it will help you and the ones you love. Sincerely, Kari L. Bazner ... Read more

Book Description

A groundbreaking new book that will help caregivers rediscover in themselves the true spirit of the helping professional, leading them to become more attentive, more kind, in a word, more compassionate. ... Read more

Book Description

A critical-care nurse in coronary and emergency medicine for eighteen years, Echo Heron has seen and heard it all. Here she recounts narratives of real-life medical dramas experienced by nurses across the country, sharing with us the inspiring, the tragic, and the outrageously funny: a penitentiary nurse who wasresponsible for orchestrating a murderer's execution; a stroke victim who rose out of his depression when his nurses began telling him jokes; and, perhaps the most riveting testimony, moment-by-moment memories of several nurses who served in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Filled with both tears and laughter and charged with the issues that afflict nursing care today, TENDING LIVES is a gripping, moving, inspiring book, a fitting tribute to a noble profession. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

EXCELLENT!!!
As a R.N. with 30 years experience, I look forward to Echo Heron's books because they depict the profession of nursing truthfully and with humor. I was not at all disappointed with this current release. Ms. Heron has put together a book of interviews with nurses that is fast-paced, gives such an interesting history of the profession, and aptly depicts nursing as the part of medicine that still focuses on advocacy and compassion. I am proud to be a nurse, and even more proud that there are people like Echo Heron who continue to speak out in favor of good patient care and bringing caring back to the practice of medicine. This is a book that is a "must read" for anyone in the medical field, while "lay" people will also find it totallly absorbing and impossible to put down.

Emotional Overload
Echo Heron is a Registered Nurse who writes medical stories on the side. Some novels are of her own experiences, others are fictional thrillers with lots of nursing thrown in, and many open your eyes as to what the RN's see and feel on a daily basis.

This one is a collection of true nursing stories from nurses all over the USA. Some of the nurses were there for the victims of the Oklahoma bombing and tell their stories. Of course, all the names are changed and few details left out. But this book was one of the most fascinating to read.

A word of warning though. I could not read this one straight through. I had to stop sometimes due to emotional overload. The book holds no punches back and you will be walking in the shoes of the nurses who tell the stories. I cried from despair and then laughed from wild humor in the very next story. You never know how they will end. But, of course, neither did the nurses as the events unfolded to them in reality.

Should be required reading for all medical professionals!
Reading Tending Lives by Echo Heron incites a feeling of joy one minute, anger and frustration the next. The book is a compilation of nurses' (and one paramedic's) frequently shocking but definitely real tales of the medical profession. Often while reading I thought to myself, "yeah, that too has happened to me so many times!" There are several stories critical of HMOs, hospital administration, and doctors, so beware if you are one of them! There are some "good" doctor stories too. Be prepared to hold your stomach for a number of stories; I thought I had seen just about everything, but after reading this book I realized I certainly had not.

I loved this real portrayal of nursing!
I first read this book when I was in RN school. I thought to myself, "What am I getting into?" But I loved the book, and I couldn't put it down! I loaned it to a friend and have since bought two more copies. Now that I have been an RN for a year, I see more of what the nurses in Echo Heron's book go through every day. And, even though I am worried about what the future holds for my profession as the nursing shortage looms above us, I have never been more proud of the title that I have. I love my job, and all that it means. I am very proud to be a nurse, and am also very proud to share my profession with someone like Echo Heron, who is not afraid to tell anyone what she thinks, and she is usually right on the money. Keep writing Echo, and we will keep reading.

I checked the box in hopes of there being another cassette
I listened to this on tape, and found myself finding excuses to go somewhere in the car. This collection on vignettes from nurses around the country is captivating. Aside from the sadness, fear, frustration, and joy, you will laugh a lot. A theme that keeps coming up throughout the tape focuses on cutbacks made in the medical profession. Just when you are lost in a story, the "reality slap" of how the system has been altered reaches out and gets you. Although I appreciate this now, I think only a nurse functioning within the constraints placed on them in some situations can truly appreciate it. Nurses are some of the real heroes out there. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When someone you care about is diagnosed with cancer, what should you say? What should you not say? What are the best ways to offer help, or to help children understand what is happening? When Life Becomes Precious is an outstanding resource for answers to such uncomfortable questions. It includes specific tips for cultivating a support network, avoiding caregiver burnout, managing fear and anger (in both yourself and the cancer patient), finding the best doctors and other health care professionals to plan treatment, preparing for hospital visits, and, for the patient, dealing with cancer when at the workplace.

Written with tact and warmth, this book is filled with advice that's likely to escape your mind during this time of stress, from 14 questions to ask before surgery to the medical and legal documents to have handy at all times to 8 reasons for switching doctors. Babcock, who has 23 years of counseling experience, also offers guidance for what to do when the cancer patient refuses all medical care: "Someone who refuses treatment and understands the repercussions of his decision is not in denial," she says. "You will have to learn to respect and accept his choice, however, even though you disagree. No other stance will support him, even though you think it will."

Babcock also includes empathetic ways to discuss mortality, and tactics for making it through holidays and birthdays, along with contact information for more than 100 resources such as support organizations and networks, chronic pain centers, hospices, and newsletters and magazines. --Erica Jorgensen ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Best emotional support book on the market!
This is absolutely the most incredible survivor and partner-support book I have ever read. Having had to deal with several close friends and relatives over the past couple of years who have been dealing with cancer problems, I just was at a loss as to the best way to handle everything. What to say, what to do, how were they REALLY feeling? Stuff like that. This book explains it all in a way that not only makes sense, but give you a sense of hope that you can actually help people deal with these health crises and major life transitions in meaningful, caring, and loving way. I have actually used the book way beyond just cancer support also. It was helpful with my own Mother, who passed away in November, in dealing with her heart and lung problems. It's just a great communications tool. Think of it almost like a Spanish-English dictionary: only this is a patient-supporter dictionary. The patient has things that they're thinking and feeling that THEY understand, but you don't. This book will translate all that for you. I have probably given 2 dozen of these books to my own friends who are dealing with these issues themselves either as patients or as patient-supporters. This book is a true gift to the world.

41-year-old Friend Visiting: Read The Reviews Inside!
I just read these Reviews on the inside of When Life Becomes Precious. I've given her book out many times but I just noticed these comments while I was visiting. Many are similiar to what my friends have said over the years. I am thankful that this book has been here when I needed to support my friends and this year when it hit my mother. Each time I read it, it gives me new insights, a new approach to helping those I care about; but these great writers describe her book better than I ever could!

"Elise NeeDell Babcock blends well-reasoned research with a practical commonsense approach to living a rich life...she adds the right dose of wit to balance serious topics with caring advice...a much needed chart in the seas of uncertainty." Dr. Steve Allen Jr., associate dean, SUNY and son of Steve Allen, my favorite comedy writer

"Sound and wise...it teaches us how to provide support and love when it counts the most. I recommend it enthusiastically." Dr. John Mendolsohn, president of MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Number One Cancer Center in the US (according to US News and World Report)

"Written with Love and Wisdom and is a Godsend..." Barbara Taylor Bradford, the NY Times Bestselling author

"I am grateful for this book--it is an umbrella in one of life's most difficult storms...it is wrought with love and wisdom and in the realm of sharing we and receiving comfort, we cannot ask for more than this." -Richard Paul Evans, The NY Times Bestselling author of The Locket, The Letter, The Christmas Box

"She focuses on the quality of life and teaches her readers about hope." -Henry A Porterfield, USTOO International, Prostate Survivors Support Groups

"Written in a warm and friendly manner...immensely resourceful...when you are in crisis or pain, you need this book." -Suzzane Mintz, president, National Family Caregivers Assoc.

"Superb! Outstanding. Easy to read." -Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi, President, Ninth Congress on Breast Disease

"...Deserves a wide readership...Elise has demonstrated great insight and skill in writing When Life Becomes Precious."

-Dr. John Marsh, Yale University School of Medicine

"...Just what patients, health-care professionals, and families need." -Mary Hughes, RN, winner of the Purdue Fredericks Quality of Life Award

Fabulous resource
This truly is a fabulous resource! The information is quite straightforward and covers a wide array of areas/issues that are certain to be impacted by the news of a loved one being ill. The components of the book cover areas such as understanding your feelings, how our fears play out in the ordeal, how to have conversations regarding the illness and ramifications of the illness, how to find resourceful medical care and how to balance one's role in life given the situation.

I would highly recommend this book for people who are going through the challenge of a loved one being ill, as it applies to not only cancer patients - but all who have serious health issues.

This should be for coping with any medical problem
My spouse had heart disease. At the same time, I was looking for a book for a friend with cancer. I found Precious and read it before giving it as a gift. I realized the suggestions applied to my family. I started using the author's ideas immediately and it helped us tremendously. I find myself quoting her often in my volunteer work at church (with patients) and with friends. One friend called and said she was having serious problem coping with her husband's diabetes. She read the book and called to tell me that after following the advice in Precious, she saw a dramatic change in the way her family communicated and supported each other. Another friend said she was in an argument with her daughter about the father's illness. The mother used the suggestions in the book to calm her daughter down. Later that evening, the daughter (in her 30s) came up to her mom and said, "Thank you. What you said and how you said it was wonderful!" This book should not even have cancer on the cover. It's practical, moving, upbeat and extremely helpful for patients and families coping with any medical challenge. J. Long, past president of a personnel agency

Terrific and very helpful!
Elise Needell Babcock's words are better than any I've read on dealing with cancer and family. Her advise is simple and extremely helpful. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Must-Read For Caregivers!
Caregiving usually doesn't happen gradually. Families are often thrust into the situation because of a crisis, without any experience on how to manage the overwhelming stress, responsibilities, legalities, and medical aspects. Gary Barg has done an excellent job sorting it all out with 'The Fearless Caregiver', guiding the reader through the maze. Very easy to read, motivating, empowering, and highly recommended!

Gary was a welcomed guest on my Internet Radio Program, 'Coping with Caregiving' on wsRadio. Online archive available.

Jacqueline Marcell, Author, Elder Rage.

A Must-Read for all Caregivers!
It is about time that someone tackled the issues that caregivers face. It can often be a lonely and confusing time. I was a caregiver for my mother a few years ago and looked everywhere for a book like this. I needed something to walk me through all of the things I didn't understand. This a well-crafted, easy to read and understand book that all caregivers should read. I wish it had been available five years ago! I recommend it highly.

The Fearless Caregiver
I recently purchased this book by Gary Barg. It is a terrific source for all caregivers and has every aspect that needs to be addressed in it. It takes you through every part of caregiving, from how to take care of yourself to attending to legal matters promptly. There is a list of ideas to help make your patient safe in his/her surroundings. This is valuable tool for every caregiver. It is superbly written and easy to read. It has been placed in our Parkinson's Library for our members to read.

Great help for Caregivers
This book compiles a variety of articles and poems, helpful practical hints and thoughtful commentary on the difficult task of caring for a loved one. As the owner of an internet list for caregivers of Parkinsonians, I have recommended it to others, and have received feedback from them, which indicates they found it "worth every cent" of the cost. The format is very readable, with short pieces suited to the busy lives of caregivers.

A Caregiver's Bible
This collection, written by experts in various areas, is packed with information. The chapters are easy to read and, most important, they address real-life situations. I'll be consulting this book often - both for practical advice and for moral support. ... Read more

Book Description

Childhood Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors, the most complete parentguide available, includes detailed and precise medical informationabout both benign and malignant brain and spinal cord tumorsthat strike children and adolescents. In addition, it offersday-to-day practical advice on how to cope with procedures,hospitalization, family and friends, school, social andfinancial issues, communication, feelings, and, if therapy isnot successful, the difficult issues of death and bereavement.Woven among the medical details and the practical advice are the voices of parents and children who have lived with cancer and its treatments. As many parents have already found, advice from "veteran" parents can be a lifeline.Obtaining a basic understanding of topics such as medicalterminology, how drugs work, common side effects of chemotherapy,and how to work more effectively with medical personnel can onlyimprove the quality of life for the whole family suffering alongwith their child.Having parents describe their own emotional upsand downs, how they coped, and how they molded their family lifearound hospitalizations can be a tremendous comfort. Just knowingthat there are other kids on chemotherapy who refuse to eat anythingbut tacos or who have frequent rages can make one feel less alone.Parents who read this book will encounter medical facts simplyexplained, advice to ease their daily life, and tools to be astrong advocate for their child. Includes extensive resourcesand a pull-out medical record-keeper. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Finally ..... something at MY level!
When our 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with a Brainstem Glioma, the hospital and Child Cancer Foundation (in New Zealand) gave us books to read, if you wanted to wade through all the technical stuff, personally I couldn't cope with it all. Then when I was looking at sites on the internet, I read about this book. I had a look at it at Amazon, and thought about it for a few days, trying to weigh up if it would be relevant to NZ'ers. I finally took the plunge and got it. I am soooo relieved that I did. Suddenly I was able to read something and actually get some benefit from it. The inserts from the parents are wonderful - suddenly I don't feel so alone, and the advice is universal. It relates to anyone in any country going through this nightmare.

This book is a "must have" for caregivers
As a parent to a child who had a brain tumor, I feel that this book covers all the major topics. When our son was diagnosed back in '98, I searched for such a book but none existed. Our son has since passed away but we are thankful that this book is available - particularly for newly diagnosed families. We purchased copies for our public library and for The Jimmy Fund in memory of our three year-old son, Kevin Kirsch. Thank you for writing this much needed guide. It will be a resource for caregivers and medical professionals alike.

The Best
Having a daughter die of a Brain Stem Glioma, this book would have helped tremendously.

This one is a must for parents of kids with brain tumors
This book is loaded with information you NEED to know to help you understand the disease, what the doctors are talking about, sources of information, the problems that pop up along the way, as well as tips to help make the child much more comfortable. This should be the first book you read on the subject. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

my review of eldercare 911
This book ia all you need to know about eldercare and elder caregiver responsibilities and options before, during and after any sort of institutional or home care considerations. The personal insights given by people from around the country was also very helpful and informative. Eldercare 911 is required reading if you're considering or are actually in an eldercare mode.

A MUST FOR ANY CARE GIVER
With the responsibility of having to take care of a 91 year old mother-in-law, I have been searching for an extremely long time for a care giver's manual to assist me. THIS IS THE BOOK TO ANSWER MY PRAYERS ! In the short time I have had this book it has continually aided me in the decision making process of how to deal with day to day problems associated with care giving to an older family member, as well as determining which of the problems I encounter are abnormal and need special attention and which are not. THIS BOOK IS EASY TO READ, UNDERSTANDABLE AND A MUST FOR ANY CARE GIVER.

Essential for caregivers
This highly detailed and easily read volume seems to cover every consideration and situation that could arise in caring for an elderly person. The emphasis is on in-home maintenance of the elderly, specifically parents, although one chapter is devoted to selecting and monitoring a nursing home. The book gives the impression of being able to prepare the reader for any situation and to help him cope with whatever comes up.

The point is made throughout that caregivers need to avail themselves of the many resources that exist to help them with information and hands-on help. The idea that taking on the responsibility for an ailing or aging parent means that the caregiving offspring do everything by themselves, while simultaneously continuing to meet the demands of their own lives and families, is shown to be destructive to the caregiver as well as in many instances impractical.

One element in successful eldercare is keeping up with exactly what is happening with the elderly person and how to cope with the problems it may present. Thorough documentation of everything is stressed, such as physical conditions and medications, prescriptions, diet, etc. Forms are presented to simplify this, along with checklists of things to do in various situations.

A liberal inclusion of anecdotes from caregivers around the U.S. reveals the many difficulties and rewards experienced by those engaged in looking after their elders. Web sites and addresses are given for various agencies, as well as the authors of the book.

That sounds like my story
There were many anecdotes in the book that sounded like they were taken from my own personal experience. It was comforting to know that there are others with similar issues. I came away with many new ideas to try and make my situation more tolerable. I would recommend this book to anyone who finds themselves in a comparable situation.

At long last, a realistic and practical guide for caregivers
As a health care professional in the field of aging for the past 17 years, I found "Eldercare 911" to be concise, clear and most of all, realistic about the area of caring for an aging parent or relative. I believe the authors have an excellent sense of what really goes on between adult children and their parents--the good and the bad. They are also not afraid to tackle the area of resistance--what should you actually do when your loved one says "No! I don't want that home care worker!" or, "What do you mean you want me to stop driving?" This book offers real solutions for the real world. I would recommend this book for caregivers and professionals in the field of aging. It is an invaluable resource ... Read more

Book Description

Four million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's disease and experts estimate that 22 million people around the world will be so afflicted by 2025.Far too many families are struggling with the emotionally and physically draining responsibility of redefining their relationship with, and caring for, someone who not long ago was a vibrant member of society, yet may not know their own name today.

A Dignified Life helps combat the burnout and frustration that often accompany the task of caring for an Alzheimer's patient. Author David Troxel, an Alzheimer's expert and executive directorof the California Central Coast Chapter of theAlzheimer's Association, maintains that at its simplest this approach is based on treating the person like a best friend and working from their strengths, not their weaknesses. He explains: "As family members, caregivers and professionals, we have to try to connect with them. People with this disease in some way need someone to be . . . attentive and empathetic--someone who really tries to walk a mile in their shoes."

A Dignified Life goes beyond the typical tips offered by most books and takes advantage of readers' instinctive desire to build friendships and taps into the intuitive aspect of caregiving that is part of our very nature.It provides a complete model for care built around creative and effective communication and meaningful activities and includes touching stories that demonstrate how the Best Friends method continues to improve the lives of both those who have Alzheimer's disease and those who care for them.

Reviews (2)

Best Friends Forever
I recently finished reading A Dignified Life by Virginia Bell and David Troxel and wish to thank the authors for making available a wonderful book on a difficult subject. It has provided tremendous support in helping me better understand Alzheimer's and especially how to relate to family and friends who have it. Recently my dearest aunt and uncle were diagnosed with this disease and I was unsure how our visits would go: what to say, how to interact with them, and what to do with them. The Best Friends approach offered such practical tips, examples, and guidelines to help with communication and interaction. It made my visits with my aunt and uncle less stressful and more enjoyable for all of us. My aunt still enjoys her sense of humor, so that the section on Friends Laugh Together and Often made a lot of sense. I would recommend this book for anyone dealing with relatives or friends with Alzheimer's disease. Above all else it helps us remember to treat them with dignity as best friends.

reassuring help
Some books about Alzheimer's have just made us feel defeated, but this book has really helped my family. This book has helped us with communication, self-esteem, how to still do things together. We feel so much more supported. This is a hard disease, but this book is helping make day-to-day life a little easier. Give it a try. Everyone in your family will feel more valued. ... Read more

Book Description

Presenting the newly revised and updated edition of Fletcher's renowned Diagnostic Histopathology of Tumors . This extensively referenced 2-volume work, is unique in its coverage of the subject, providing comprehensive information on the vast range of tumor types and most up-to-date biopsy methods currently used in pathology practice today.An abundance of new excellent-quality color photos have been added to help illustrate important morphologic findings and relate these to their specific classifications. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best book of tumoral histopathology in this time!!!!
well, my english is not so good, but I'll try to explain my opinions about this extraordinary book: I'm a proffesor of Pathology in Maracaibo, Venezuela, especifically in Veterinary Pathology and mi field of studied is the comparative pathology of tumours. This book represented the most advanced updated that I have been read. The ilustrations and the text are of high quality, very concise and clear. I recommended this excellent book both veterinary pathologist and human pathologist

Diagnostic Histopathology of Tumours
An excellent reference book for postgraduates and practitioners of Anatomical Pathology. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

If you have parents, buy this book!
As a family physician, I care for patients every day who don't have a clue what to do when their parents need care. This book can help a family prepare for the eventual tasks that either are or will face them in the future (if a parent is still alive). This complete guide is medically accurate and chock full of wise advice. It's in my library and I highly recommend it to my patients.

Physician's Choice
This book has very practical information. As a Geriatrician, I frequently encounter patients and their families who have multiple questions regarding aging issues. Now, I have a tool I can share with them. It is easy to read and well worth the price. It would also be a wise gift.

Excellent Book!
This is an EXCELLENT book! Anyone who is currently caring for or planning to care for an aging loved one must BUY THIS BOOK and use it as a resource. It truly is the complete guide as it covers all aspects of aging with practical stories as examples. It would make a great gift for a loved one or friend. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Book Description

For the 54 million Americans who currently care for aging parents and loved ones, this important resource provides essential information for solving day-to-day problems in the real world.

The Caregiver's Essential Handbook includes valuable insights and commonsense tips from those who have walked in their shoes: nursing professionals, physical therapists, social workers, and loving family members whose creativity and resurcefulness offer immediate help to those in need. Here are practical solutions for saving money on medication; getting doctors to really listen; making life easier for people who are visually, hearing, or mentally impaired; and most important, taking care of oneself.

Reviews (4)

A big help
Ordered this book from seeing it online. It was an easy read and I got a lot of tips from it (I started helping take care of my mother this year). Definately recommend.

An INVALUABLE resource
This is an extrememly insightful and eminently readable guide for the many of us who are struggling to care for our aging loved ones. As as clinical psychologist working with families and specializing in child therapy, I have been uncertain how to advise parents when they describe the challenges they face with raising their children while also caring for their own parents and aging relatives. Now, with The Caregiver's Essential Handbook, I have an excellent source of practical information and advice to offer overwhelmed families. The 1,200 tips are clearly organized and easy to locate. There are invaluable phone numbers and web sites listed in the Appendix. All in all, one can just pick up this book for a few moments and gain a lot of invaluable information.

I am extrememly grateful that my colleague Sasha Carr and Sandra Choron have provided this wonderful resource. It will make a great difference in many families' lives.

A wonderful Informative Book!
This book is a compact, well written guide to helping those who care for seniors and seniors who care for themselves. It is short, simple, and well written. It is packed full of good advice and essential resources for seniors and those who help care for them

The book is divided into logical sections that deal with caregiver and senior issues. These issues are presented in simple bite sized pieces. They are easy to understand and easy to use. Most of the information is good advice for not only caregivers but all of us.

Not only are the authors obviously experienced caregivers but they have inserted thoughtful anecdotes from people who are caregivers throughout the book. The authors are also quite obviously caring and concerned. One of their most salient points that they make over and over is that we will all be seniors at one point or another and we should look at the things we do from the point of view of the people who we are helping.

This book is a must read for all of us. As the world population grows older, the advice in this book will become more and more topical for everyone.

An excellent resource directory is presented at the back, packed with essential resources for seniors. These are great resources and highly useful to both seniors and caregivers.

This is a terrific book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a caregiver or a senior.

THE survival guide for caregivers
A tremendous lifesaver for caregivers...

As a clinical psychologist specializing in geriatrics, I am frequently asked to recommend resources for desparate and overwhelmed caregivers who don't know how to handle the tremendous burden of aging loved ones, particularly those who are dementing. Anyone who works in gerontology or is a caregiver herself, knows that caregivers have precious little time or energy for research and reading. They want PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS and ADVICE delivered in a way they can understand. Until this book, there hasn't been anything I could strongly recommend that is 1) accessible; 2) practical; 3)professional; 4) concise; and 5) pleasurable to read.

I am thrilled that my colleague Sasha Carr, a specialist in health and aging, and Sandra Choron have finally given caregivers around the world such an expert, yet practical, compilation of information and advice such as:
1) 20 specific "Good Outings"
2) If your senior always wants to wear the same outfit, buy duplicates
3) Buy "Thick It" to add to thin liquids if your senior finds swallowing thicker liquids easier (very common)
4) If your senior balks at having her hair washed because it's disturbing for her to get water in her eyes, put petroleum jelly around her hairline before washing her hair

All 1,200 tips are divided into common-sense categories, making it easy to locate the information you need. Needless to say, the book is also chock-full of relevant phone numbers and web sites in an Appendix, and also includes a helpful index.

The Caregiver's Essential Handbook is just that, and has become the "go-to" guide that I now recommend to patients and caregivers.

. ... Read more

Book Description

Jolene Brackey has a vision. A vision that will soon look beyond the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and focus more of our energy on creating moments of joy. When a person has short-term memory loss, his life is made up of moments. But if you think about it, our memory is made up of moments, too. We are not able to create a perfectly wonderful day with someone who has dementia, but it is absolutely attainable to create a perfectly wonderful moment; a moment that puts a smile on their face, a twinkle in their eye, or triggers a memory. Five minutes later, they won’t remember what you did or said, but the feeling you left them with will linger.

Brackey has broken down the learning process into the five sections of the expanded third edition of Creating Moments of Joy for the Person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Within those sections are smaller steps. At the end of each step is a place where you can journal your thoughts, solutions, and treasures to help you achieve the overall goal of creating many moments of joy for the person with dementia, and for you!

The five sections of Creating Moments of Joy: (1)Understand the person with Alzheimer’s;(2)Powerful Tools That Create Positive Outcomes;(3)Let’s Talk Communication; (4) Memory Enhanced Environments; (5) Enhanced Moments. ... Read more

Book Description

A wise and compassionate guide to caring for a critically ill child.

Nothing is more excruciating or heartwrenching for parents than caring for a child who is critically ill and unlikely to survive. A recent Harvard University study on pediatric end-of-life care has shown that the medical community is failing such children and their families. Indeed, in their effort to be ever-hopeful and cure-oriented in the face of a child's terminal illness, they neglect to advise parents on the basics of emotional support for all family members, pediatric pain medication, and the need for making plans and worst-case preparations.

Based on the National Advanced Illness Coordinated Care program and the stories and advice gleaned from co-author Joanne Hilden's years of work as a pediatric oncologist, Shelter from the Storm fills this advice-and-caregiving void. A compassionate road map to what the family may have to face, what they may be asked to decide, and how they might want to involve their child in the decision-making, Shelter from the Storm will help parents and caregivers make informed, loving, and protective choices on behalf of their children in the most trying of times. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you believe knowledge is power. . .
then this book is for you. As the mother of a child with a life-threatening condition, it is easier to remain confident and optimistic knowing that I have a "plan B", meaning a plan of what to do if my child becomes terminal. This is a wonderful guide for parents, families and friends of a seriously ill child: answering tough questions about end-of-life issues without obliterating hope. Written in part by a prominent pediatric oncologist, this book provides concrete examples and suggestions for everyone's worst-case scenario: planning on how to parent through your child's death. Because the book gives plenty of room to maintain hope while planning for the worst, I have found it easy to share with other parents whose child may or may not survive. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

WHEN THE TIME COMES
This book is absolutely necessary when the time comes to think about your parents, and their aging, and what to do just in case.
How do I approach this w/ my parents? or , what child will be responsible for the arrangements?, or, why me?

This book takes you thru the difficult questions, situations (especially w/ other siblings) and any thing else one WILL come across when deciding elder=care and how it applies to YOUR PARENTS. Don't forget the video companion. Beatiful ...

What an amazing guide!
Considering that caregiving responsibilities will impact every single person at some point in their life, this is the resource guide to own!! It truly is a "Caregiver's Companion" and a must-have for every caregiver. When the baby-boomers become aged (and it's starting to happen), a huge percentage of the population will require caregiving. This book gives resources and checklists, along with anecdotal stories from the people in the trenches. What a great book. I highly recommend this as a gift for you, your family, your friends - ANYONE who has to deal with the complexities of caregiving. Bravo! ... Read more

Book Description

Education is the lifeline that can help spinal cord injured patients return to productive, healthful livesor begin life anew.Inside the Spinal Cord Injury Handbook, patients, family members, healthcare providers and attorneys learn the six major arenas that make up optimum health and rehabilitation success.These include mobility, skin care, sexuality and myths that pervade society. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Book
This book is an excellent resource for general public and professionals who are interested in the theme of spinal cord injury (SCI). It uses clear language and also good humor. All to help you understand the important basics of SCI and also to help you survive to SCI. I am using it for my doctoral dissertation as an excellent reference. Congratulations to the authors! I highly recommend this book.

The Spinal Cord Injry Handbook
This book was great. It told about the various types of spinal injuries and how each injury is different based on where the injury was located and how it affected your body and daily life skills.

It also gave insight as to what the family has to deal with as well as the patient.It also covered everything from what a spinal cord injury was to diagnosis and treatment;skin care; rehab;bladder and bowel management and caregiver relief. This is the A-Z book when in comes to spinal injuries.

I found in very informative as my husband recently suffered a spinal cord injury at work and we were told that he would never walk again. However, we have been blessed and he is walking 100 ft w/a walker at a time and is slowly regaining movement in his lower extremeties and we hope that he will be back to his old self soon.

I am ordering this book for a friend who now has to deal with this same injury. Thanks... ... Read more

Book Description

Offers devotional encouragement,hope, and tender affirmation for all caregivers no matter the disease or situation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

forgotten men in an important role
As this book notes, one-third of all caregivers are male, yet they are either ignored or assumed to be just like their female counterparts. This book peels the onion on the dynamics of men are caregivers. The first section details their existence in this important activity. The second describes how men differ from women while performing the role. The final section looks at special topics and populations of male caregivers. The first two sections are more for academics and the last section may be more suited for clinicians or lay readers. I applaud the editors for seeking multiple audiences. More importantly, this book looks at differing male caregivers (gay as compared to straight, sons as compared to husbands/partners, etc.) Further, the discussion of various diseases (Alzheimer's, breast cancer, etc.) may be of interest to caregivers of either gender or individuals in the medical fields fighting those diseases. At times, this book gets bogged down in statistics and scholarly jargon. Still, this was an important contribution to men's studies and public health literature. ... Read more

Book Description

Geriatric Palliative Care covers a broad spectrum of issues characterizing care near the end of life for older adults. Beginning with the social and cultural context of old age and frailty, this volume details specific aspects of palliative care relevant to particular disorders (e.g. cancer, strokes, dementia, etc.) as well as individual symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, anxiety, etc.).Communication between care-givers and patients, in a variety of settings, is also discussed. The theme of this book is that palliative care is the best approach to the care of chronically ill and frail elderly because of its focus on: quality of life; support for functional independence; and the centrality of the patient's values and experiences in determining the goals of medical care.Indeed, Geriatric Palliative Care provides a comprehensive medical reference for all clinicians who care for older adults. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is for people who feel comfortable communicating through their hands and for those who wish to feel more ease in transmitting care through touch. It is for people whose responsibility or job or gift is to oversee or to help take care of the elderly and ill members of our society. It is for sons and daughters caring for aging parents with physical impairments that effect a role reversal in a lifetime of relating. It is for the courageous men and women who continue caring for spouses or mothers or fathers with dementia related diseases such as Alzheimer's after such a disease has robbed that loved one of the ability to remember the relationship he or she once shared with the caregiver. It is for companions and family members struggling and sometimes sacrificing to provide care for their loved ones at home.

This book is for doctors who have forgotten or never learned that touch is medicine and for those who are wise enough to know that a five-second hug, offered as a gesture of shared humanity, can often do more to assuage fear and anxiety than a five-minute lecture. It is for nurses and nursing assistants who, once trained in giving back rubs to hospitalized patients to reduce discomfort and induce sleep, in current care systems may be more often in contact with equipment than with people, or spend most of their time dispensing medicines and completing paperwork. It is for the restorative aids, the occupational and physical and recreational therapists in extended care facilities who are searching for more effective and affirming ways of relating to those whom they serve. It is for hospice professionals and volunteers, hired companions, geriatric consultants, guardians, home health aids and others who want to help improve quality of life for their charges and clients. It is for chaplains and social workers and grief counselors who wish to reclaim the power of intentional touch in ministering to the frail, the distraught and the bereaved. It is for massage therapy students desiring to build careers in arenas that combine service with professional and personal growth and for practitioners whose hearts and hands lead them to forge new paths in venues where their skills are sorely needed. It is for anyone who wishes to use touch more consciously and compassionately in relating to the elderly, the ill and the dying. ... Read more