The Unexpected Journey of Caring

by Donna Thomson
The Unexpected Journey of Caring
Author: Donna Thomson
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2019-06-05
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1538122243
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With a foreword by Judy Woodruff, The Unexpected Journey of Caring is a practical guide to finding personal meaning in the 21st century care experience. Personal transformation is usually an experience we actively seek out—not one that hunts us down. Becoming a caregiver is one transformation that comes at us, requiring us to rethink everything we once knew. Everything changes—responsibilities, beliefs, hopes, expectations, and relationships. Caregiving is not just a role reserved for “saints”—eventually, everyone is drafted into the caregiver role. It’s not a role people medically train for; it’s a new type of relationship initiated by a loved one’s need for care. And it’s a role that cannot be quarantined to home because it infuses all aspects of our lives. Caregivers today find themselves in need of a crash course in new and unfamiliar skills. They must not only care for a loved one, but also access hidden community resources, collaborate with medical professionals, craft new narratives consistent with the changing nature of their care role, coordinate care with family, seek information and peer support using a variety of digital platforms, and negotiate social support—all while attempting to manage conflicts between work, life, and relationship roles. The moments that mark us in the transition from loved one to caregiver matter because if we don’t make sense of how we are being transformed, we risk undervaluing our care experiences, denying our evolving beliefs, becoming trapped by other’s misunderstandings, and feeling underappreciated, burned out, and overwhelmed. Informed by original caregiver research and proven advocacy strategies, this book speaks to caregiving as it unfolds, in all of its confusion, chaos, and messiness. Readers won’t find well-intentioned clichés or care stereotypes in this book. There are no promises to help caregivers return to a life they knew before caregiving. No, this book greets caregivers where they are in their journey—new or chronic—not where others expect (or want) them to be.

Grace for the Unexpected Journey

by Deborah Barr
Grace for the Unexpected Journey
Author: Deborah Barr
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2018-01-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0802496334
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For the weary dementia or Alzheimer's caregiver If you are a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, you carry a heavy load. On top of having to watch someone you love suffer, you are probably losing sleep, growing frustrated, and struggling with loneliness or even depression. With little to no help and no time for a break, this unrelenting stress is hard to carry. Whether that’s you or someone you know, the caregiver needs care, too. Grace for the Unexpected Journey: A 60-Day Devotional for Alzheimer’s and Other Dementia Caregivers provides that support. Each daily devotion: Is short, ideal for demanding schedules Reflects on a relevant Scripture passage Features a relatable caregiving story Offers a key Scripture for meditation Debbie Barr is a speaker, health educator, and the author of multiple books, including Keeping Love Alive As Memory Fades (coauthored with New York Times bestselling author Gary Chapman). As a health educator with a deep concern and compassion for dementia caregivers, she saw their need for faith-based encouragement. With compassion and understanding she uses Scriptures to address their practical hardships and spiritual concerns. When the struggles seem insurmountable, this devotional offers strength. When stress floods in, it points to peace. And when darkness falls, it illuminates hope. Caregivers walk a long, difficult road. This devotional gives grace for their journey.

The Caregiving Trap

by Pamela D. Wilson
The Caregiving Trap
Author: Pamela D. Wilson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2015-10-06
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 9781630475352
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"The Caregiving Trap" combines the authentic life and professional experience of Pamela D. Wilson, who provides recommendations for overwhelmed and frustrated caregivers who themselves may one day need care. "The Caregiving Trap" includes stories about Pamela's actual personal and professional experience along with end of chapter exercises to support caregivers. Common caregiving issues include: A sense of duty and obligation to provide care that damages family relationships Emotional and financial challenges resulting in denial of care needs Ignorance of predictive events that result in situations of crises or harm Delayed decision making and lack of planning resulting in limited choices Minimum standards of care supporting the need for advocacy

The Four Walls of My Freedom

by Donna Thomson
The Four Walls of My Freedom
Author: Donna Thomson
Publisher: House of Anansi
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2014-01-13
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1770894802
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A riveting and redemptive family memoir, The Four Walls of My Freedom is Donna Thomson’s account of raising a son with cerebral palsy and a passionate appeal to change the way we think about “the good life.” Donna Thomson’s life was forever changed when her son Nicholas was born with cerebral palsy. A former actor, director, and teacher, Donna became his primary caregiver and embarked on a second career as a disability activist, author, and consultant. Thomson vividly describes her experience in treading delicately through daily care, emergencies, and medical bureaucracy as she and her family cope with her son’s condition while maintaining value and dignity (for Nicholas, too). She brilliantly demonstrates the vital contribution that people with disabilities make to our society and addresses the ethics and economics of giving and receiving care. Featuring an introduction by John Ralston Saul, and two new chapters, The Four Walls of My Freedom is a passionate appeal to change to the way we think about the “good life” that will touch anyone caring for the life of another.

The Unexpected Caregiver

by Kari Berit
The Unexpected Caregiver
Author: Kari Berit
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2007
Genre: Adult children of aging parents
ISBN: 9781578616060
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This book is aimed at GroupWise System Administrators and those who are in the process of become an Administrator. The book covers the GroupWise basics such as the architecture, design and management of a GroupWise system and also offers information on preventive maintenance and troubleshooting. For experienced administrators this book offers a complete overview of what's new in GroupWise version 8. The author has over 15 years of experience in working with GroupWise systems and therefor is able to offer valuable tips that will be useful for day to day operations and in troubleshooting problems. In addition, the book provides an overview of Teaming + Conferencing, and its integration into GroupWise.

An Unintended Journey

by Janet Yagoda Shagam
An Unintended Journey
Author: Janet Yagoda Shagam
Publisher:
Total Pages: 430
Release: 2013
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 1616147512
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"More than five million people living in the United States have Alzheimer's disease or some other form of dementia. "An Unintended Journey" is designed to address the needs and challenges faced by adult children and other family members who are scrambling to make sense of what is happening to themselves and the loved ones in their care"--

The Mindful Caregiver

by Nancy L. Kriseman
The Mindful Caregiver
Author: Nancy L. Kriseman
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2014-02-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1442223553
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Caregiving can be enormously challenging, terrifically rewarding, and potentially draining. Caregivers often wonder how they will navigate the tumultuous waters of caregiving and not lose themselves completely. The Mindful Caregiver highlights two major approaches to help transform the journey: adopting a practice of mindfulness, which helps caregivers become more self-aware and fully present with the person with whom they are caring, and honoring “the spirit-side” of caregiving which offers new ways of connecting to one another. These approaches take into account not just the needs of the care recipient, but also the needs of the caregiver and other people in his/her life. Remembering to care for oneself when someone else is in great need can be difficult, but with the suggestions and tips in this book, any caregiver can cultivate routines and practices that benefit everyone. Solutions that caregivers can use in their day to day routines are provided, so caregivers who use them can feel more empowered and hopeful. Using real stories throughout, Nancy Kriseman offers self-care exercises and addresses a wide variety of subjects such as setting realistic expectations, making the best possible decisions, advocating effectively, and evaluating available resources and services. The Mindful Caregiver provides inspiration, encouragement, and guidance for finding ease in the caregiving journey. By emphasizing both mindfulness and the spiritual dimension, caregivers can reap the gifts of caregiving, appreciate the special moments, and find strength during the challenging times.

My Dad Got Sick

by Jay Perry
My Dad Got Sick
Author: Jay Perry
Publisher:
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2018-05-10
Genre:
ISBN: 9781980819721
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Most of us, at one time or another, have encountered tragedy.If you find yourself reading the description of this book, I assume this is the case for you and I'd like to say I'm truly sorry. To be honest, I really wish everything in this book were tales of fiction and that my experiences were all a dream. But the stories I courageously share, are my own truthful encounters with life as a caregiver.This book is an outline of my experiences while taking care of my dad, both physically and mentally, during his battle with cancer. It is a tool designed to help those in similar positions navigate coping, self-awareness, empathy, compassion, self-care, support, education, commitment, grief, love and embracing the day-to-day reality of caregiving. Although very cancer-specific, these words can provide encouragement to all those questioning whether or not to take on the role of caregiver. I did my best to write the book I was looking for when my journey began in early 2013. I don't have any 'top 10' pieces of advice to offer, and any advice I do give is solely based off what was found to work successfully for my dad. I'm not a doctor, and I don't have any professional medical training whatsoever. At the time this story began I was just a son doing everything possible for my best friend - I educated myself on the run. My dad was given a terminal diagnosis of nine months to a year to live. He ended up passing away two and a half years later, and although he fought hard for us, I want my dad's fight to be worth more. I want his struggles to give inspiration, and I want to see a shy, humble man's battle provide support and hope long after he's gone. I share these stories about a man with an incurable disease to demonstrate how myself and my loved ones were able to extend his life beyond what doctors ever expected. During my dad's final year, I used social media as a positive platform to share the daily struggles and absolute joys I was constantly faced with. The outpouring of love and support I received is what made me realize this book needed to be written.For obvious reasons, I hate the fact that this book has grounds to exist, but I will use it as a vehicle to share a journey that will hopefully help you with yours.*Description taken from Chapter One: To The Reader