Caregiving with Grace

Caregiving With Grace

Caregiving with Grace: A Conversation with One Who Has Been There, reflects the wisdom and humor of one woman who joyfully and lovingly cared for her cousin and best friend, Joyce, through the course of both Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. Caregiving for a loved one is difficult, especially as most caregivers are untrained, unprepared and unpaid. Written in a conversational tone, this is a virtual handbook for those untrained “amateurs” who find themselves in the role of caring for a loved one diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The author, Dr. Grace Powell, wrote this book to illustrate that even though caregiving is often a tough job, there are some aspects of it that can be amusing, challenging, educational, and rewarding. Topics covered include how to ensure a safe environment for your loved one; advice on how and when to initiate difficult conversations about cooking, driving, and using assistive devices; the interrelationship between comfort and happiness; and even a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” to help both the caregiver and Caredfor, to focus on the positive while avoiding or eliminating negativity. The importance of caring for the caregiver is also addressed thoroughly in this book, with tips on being an effective caregiver; how to recognize common signs of stress; acknowledging your feelings as a caregiver; suggestions on maintaining a sense of perspective; and the benefits of support groups and respite care.

Whether you are currently in the role of caregiver for a loved one; being cared for by a loved one; or would simply like to understand how to better support a friend or family member in such a situation, this book is for you. Caregiving with grace, or giving care with grace, is exactly what you will understand after you have read this book.