Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.

"Nurses play a vital role in improving the safety and quality of patient car -- not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment facility, but also of community-based care and the care performed by family members. Nurses need know what proven techniques and interventions they can use to enhance patient outcomes. To address this need, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with additional funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has prepared this comprehensive, 1,400-page, handbook for nurses on patient safety and quality -- Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. (AHRQ Publication No. 08-0043)." - online AHRQ blurb, http://www.ahrq.gov/qual/nurseshdbk/

Take care of yourself as you care for others with this accessible, easy-to-follow self-care guide to relax and rejuvenate. It’s been said that there are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will become caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. Chances are you or someone you know is taking care of a loved one at home. If you do, you also know that caregiving—however fulfilling—is also hard on the caregiver’s mental and physical health. Self-care is vital to caregivers maintaining stamina and a positive outlook for both themselves and the people they care for. But being so busy caring for others can make it hard to find time for yourself. In Self-Care for Caregivers, you’ll find short, easy-to-read—and often easy-to-do—ways to replenish your mind, body, and spirit, including: -Practicing mindfulness by focusing in on your five senses -Remembering to HALT to check if you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired -Making a gratitude list of at least three things you're grateful for -And much more! Full of practical advice and reminders to have a quick snack, call a friend, create a sanctuary, write in a journal, and more ways to take care yourself—plus resources for caregiving—this book will go a long way towards making your caregiving experience a happier and more healthful one for you and the people you care for.

For those serving as a caregiver for a loved one, the authors of this down-to-earth, encouraging book can help you make the most of the experience without losing yourself in the process. Are you one of the growing number of people who serves as a caregiver for an aging or chronically ill friend or family member? If so, you probably struggle to meet both their special needs and still find time and resources for yourself. But now there is reason to take heart. The authors of this down-to-earth, encouraging book can help you make the most of the experience without losing yourself in the process. Using the Twelve Steps as a guide, the authors conduct readers through the pitfalls of caregiving--the emotional snarls and strains, daily struggles, competing needs, and questions about confronting pain--providing hope and tangible suggestions on how to stay strong and sane while providing healthy support and love. Self-Care for Caregivers offers sensitive and sensible guidance for the family caregiver. "This is a little book with a big message: how to take care of yourself so you can take care of others." - Connie Goldman, producer of the public radio special Hardship into Hope, The Rewards of Caregiving; co-author of Tending the Earth, Mending the Spirit and Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer "This book is an uplifting treasury of hope. The authors gently direct the reader with comforting, practical text that offers empowering caregiving strategies and avenues for emotional and spiritual growth." - James and Merlene Sherman, author and editor of the Caregiver Survival series.

This book offers five strategy sets for anyone serving as a family caregiver. It may be of value for the sandwich generation, who are caught caring for children as well as elderly parents, for the spouse reeling from the responsibilities of caring for a partner who used to share the household load, for siblings trying to look after each other as aging creeps in and for anyone trying to provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others who can no longer do that for themselves. I hope you find it a valuable resource too for your journey as a caregiver

This book is enhanced with content such as audio or video, resulting in a large file that may take longer to download than expected. With 15 videos and text focused on strategies one needs to bear the responsibility of caring for someone close to them, the enhanced e-book of Passages In Caregiving takes you by the hand and shows you that you will get through this — and you will do the right things. With empathy and intelligence, backed by formidable research, and interspersed with poignant stories of her experience and that of successful care givers, Passages in Caregiving examines the arc of caregiving from the very first signs of trouble — providing invaluable advice and guidance to help turn a stressful, life-altering situation into a journey that can be safely navigated and from which everyone can benefit.

"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

Caring for an older family member with physical or cognitive impairments is a difficult, strenuous process. Caregivers often struggle to balance their own needs with those of the care recipient. Their relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and even the care recipient can suffer as well. As a result, family members often seek professional help to guide them through the caregiving process. This book presents Caregiver Family Therapy (CFT), a systems approach to treating families that care for an aging adult. CFT consists of three core stages: Identifying the problem Structuring caregiver roles Ensuring caregiver self-care Transition stages bridge one core stage to the next, helping caregivers structure care for the older adult, examine the impact of caregiving role structures, and consider broader effects of caregiving. As new challenges arise, the stages are repeated and the CFT process begins anew. Full of rich clinical examples, this book will help therapists and other service providers meet the complex, diverse needs of caregiving families.

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.

EMBARK ON A COMPASSIONATE JOURNEY THROUGH YOUR LOVED ONE'S TWILIGHT YEARS At the heart of every family is the profound bond shared with our aging parents, a bond that becomes both clearer and more delicate as the sunset of their lives approaches. "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" is a beacon of wisdom, meant to guide you through the complexities and emotional tides of becoming a caregiver. This pivotal guide is your ally, from witnessing the early signs of your parents needing assistance to managing the crescendo of their medical and emotional needs. Delve into Chapter 1, "Recognizing the Shifts," where you'll learn to spot the early indicators pointing to your parents' need for care, setting the stage to initiate that all-important conversation with empathy and foresight. Transitioning to Chapter 2, "The Basics of Caregiving," equips you with the knowledge to understand your role and set expectations that honor both you and your parents. Legal and financial planning steps appear in Chapter 3, presenting essential documents and benefit navigation as pillars of your caregiving foundation. Discover within Chapter 4 the heart and soul of the caregiver's emotional journey, as you learn to gracefully handle role reversals and resistance. The practical wisdom flows into health and medical needs in Chapter 5, ensuring routine care and emergency response become second nature to you. The valuable At-Home Care Strategies of Chapter 6 offer actionable advice for creating a safe and nurturing home environment. As the pages turn, you'll be methodically prepared for the eventuality of assisted living, home care, and end-of-life considerations, and-most importantly-maintaining your well-being through the chapters dedicated to avoiding burnout, seeking support, and staying connected. With comprehensive resource directories and checklists, this book is not merely a guide but a companion on your journey. Empathetic and empowering, "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" is your transformative guide for honoring your parent's golden years with dignity, love, and unwavering support. Embrace the path ahead with confidence - your odyssey of care awaits.