Being a caregiver isn’t an easy task. Thankfully, there’s a wealth of literature that provides guidance, advice, and moral support. Here are six nonfiction books that should be on every caregiver’s reading list.
1. It’s Because I Love You by Linda Joan Arzente
This comprehensive guide to caregiving provides the tips and tools caregivers need to be effective companions for their senior loved ones. The book covers a wide variety of subjects, ranging from care planning to inspirational personal stories. This is a great book for people who are new to the caregiving lifestyle and are looking for some extra support.
It’s important to set aside some time for yourself away from your caregiving duties so you can read a good book. If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Burlington Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
2. Are Your Parents Driving You Crazy? by Joseph A. Ilardo and Carole R. Rothman
Written by two esteemed therapists, this classic text is about the challenging transition from child to caregiver. Ilardo and Rothman tackle the issue from a psychological perspective, but they also give a lot of practical advice. They tell caregivers how to handle many common issues, like how to convince seniors it’s time to stop driving and how to enhance a senior’s relationship with his or her home caregivers.
3. Talking to Alzheimer’s by Claudia J. Strauss
For people providing care to senior loved ones with Alzheimer’s, this book is an excellent resource. It bridges the communication gap between caregivers and seniors, using illuminating anecdotes and scientific data throughout. While the book focuses on Alzheimer’s, any caregiver living with communication problems will find it helpful.
If you’re the primary caregiver for an aging loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s and could use assistance meeting his or her needs, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Burlington families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.
4. How to Care for Aging Parents by Virginia Morris
This is one of the most popular books about senior caregiving. It’s a wonderful primer for people in need of advice, and it gives instructions on topics as diverse as financial planning and alternative therapies. Comprehensive, compassionate, and well researched, this book is a classic for a reason.
5. Dancing with Elephants by Jarem Sawatsky
Managing diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s can be challenging, but according to Jarem Sawatsky, quality of life can be maintained. This book is about how to find fulfillment in challenging conditions. It can be a great comfort to caregivers who feel they aren’t doing enough for their aging relatives. Sawatsky’s work is influenced by the fact that he was diagnosed with a chronic disease, and he provides an insider’s look at the importance of mindfulness and positivity.
6. A Bittersweet Season by Jane Gross
There are many books written about how to be a good caregiver. A Bittersweet Season covers this subject as well, tackling the challenges author Jane Gross faced when she became a caregiver to her aging mother. This book also emphasizes the fact that caregivers need to care for themselves. This is an inspiring portrait of one woman’s journey to give her mother the best care possible, and the self-knowledge she gained along the way.
If you provide care for a senior loved one and require additional support or assistance, consider hiring a live-in caregiver. For many seniors in Burlington, Vermont, live-in care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Home Care Assistance, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness. To learn about our high-quality care plans for the elderly, contact Home Care Assistance at [hca_phone].