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.
NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!
ORDER ON AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, APPLE BOOKS, and KOBO TODAY.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
REVIEWS
Synopsis: What does caring for a loved one at home really involved? 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 informational gaps, connecting the dots between research and real life. Drawing on the author Harriet Hodgson's own extensive caregiving experience, "The Family Caregiver's Guide" 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.
Critique: As informed and informative as it is real-world practical and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Family Caregiver's Guide" should be considered reading essential for anyone anticipating or already engaged in caring for a loved one in the family home. Of special note are the chapters on 'What Skills do You Need?' and 'Getting Ready for Home Care'. Particularly useful are the three Appendices: Home Safety Checklist; Medicine Cabinet Supplies; Terms to Know. Simply stated, a copy of Harriet Hodgson's "The Family Caregiver's Guide" should be a part of every community library, senior citizen center, and family counseling center instructional reference collection. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "The Family Caregiver's Guide" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).
Helen Dumont, Reviewer, MBR Bookwatch, http://www.midwestbookreview.com
The Family Caregiver’s Guide is a must-read for all caregivers. Harriet Hodgson backs up each chapter topic with an impressive list of resources. Her personal stories add credibility to this research. Although Harriet writes about the challenges of caregiving, she also writes about its positive impact on her life. A Registered Nurse and certified counselor, I worked in home health for 10 years and was a caregiver for my mother and husband. This is the best caregiving book I ever read. I hope it is required reading for all professionals and available to families everywhere.
Mary Amundsen, BSN, MS Counseling, Caregiver Support Group Leader
Harriet’s latest work is grounded in an honest approach to the full spectrum of what it takes to care. Her focus on the daily realities caregivers have to contend with is a refreshing perspective and one that caregivers at any stage would benefit from reading.
Adrienne Gruberg, President/Founder, The Caregiver Space, www.thecaregiverspace.org
Harriet Hodgson’s latest book, The Family Caregiver’s Guide, immediately put me at ease. The chapters are well organized. Checklists and questions sprinkled throughout the book give the reader opportunities to reflect about caregiving. Smart Tips at the end of each chapter act as a review of information. The Family Caregiver’s Guide is a must-read for new and experienced caregivers alike. Harriet has much to share with the caregivers of the world.
Mary Jane Cronin, MA, LMHC, Cronin Counseling, Largo, Florida, www.cronincounseling.com
Harriet Hodgson has written many books about heart-wrenching events and does it again with The Family Caregiver’s Guide. It is based on her 18 years of caregiving experience. Harriet was her mother’s caregiver, twin grandchildren’s caregiver/guardian, and is her disabled husband’s caregiver today. Readers will benefit from the guide’s clear organization, extensive research, friendly writing, and 101 Smart Steps. Caregivers need all the help they can get. I would recommend The Family Caregiver’s Guide to any caregiver. It’s a winner!
Gloria Horsley, MFC, CNS, PhD, Cofounder and President of the Open to Hope Foundation, Co-host of Open to Hope Radio and Television.
The Family Caregiver’s Guide is an informational resource for caring for an informed loved one. As a nursing professional and caregiver for my daughter, who sustained severe anoxic brain injury more than 12 years ago, I would have welcomed this guide. Even though I’m an RN, with a Doctorate in Public Health Systems Management, when my daughter was injured I felt overwhelmed. The Family Caregiver’s Guide provides simple, easy-to-follow steps for caring for a loved one. The Appendix contains checklists for creating a safe home environment, and definitions of medical terms. I love the personal touch Harriet provides throughout the book, assuring caregivers that we are not alone to fend for ourselves in this chaotic health care maze. Each caregiver’s journey is personal and the ability to go to any chapter when needed is a precious gem of this guide. I highly recommend it to professional and lay caregivers alike because no caregiver should embark on this journey alone.
Debra Anzalone, Dr. PH, RN, CHES, Lighthouse Point, Florida.
Just when I think I’ve got this “caregiving” thing in control, Harriet Hodgson has come up with answers to issues and questions I haven’t confronted yet. The Family Caregiver’s Guide is filled with practical information that can be used to chart schedules, identify problems, and solve problems, all the while taking care of myself. Hodgson is as creative as to have you mentally reverse roles with the person you are caring for, and as practical as to encourage 10 minutes of meditation a day for the caregiver. This book is presented differently than any other I’ve read on caregiving, and may be the only “help book” I’ll need from now on.
Peggy Trumbo, dementia caregiver on the caregiving journey.
The Family Caregiver’s Guide by Harriet Hodgson is an excellent resource for individuals and family members who have taken on the new role of caregiver. Harriet has “walked the walk” and is able to give the reader excellent insight, resources, and inspiration as they take on this new normal. This easy to use guide provides shared experiences, useful tips, and valuable resources that can make caregiving a little less stressful, a little more organized and, hopefully, a treasured experience in your life.
Laurie Marreel, Executive Director, Elder Network, Rochester, Minnesota.