“The Essential Guide to Caring for Aging Parents” ~ Dr. Linda Rhodes
Overview: This book is organized into five components: problem-solving amid confusion, the eldercare landscape, managing your loved one’s medical life, family dynamics, and different communication styles.
Great takeaways: What-if scenarios, Plan Bs, family meeting agenda format and rules of engagement, caregiver stress test, an overview of how Medicare works, and ways to stop an early hospital discharge
Who would benefit: Caregivers searching for ways to understand their parents’ health issues, create a caregiving plan and broach classic aging-parent conflicts
“Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving” ~ Amy Goyer
Overview: This book shares practical resources and tips whether caregiving day-to-day, planning for the future, or in the midst of a crisis, plus tips for challenging conversations and balancing caregiving and working.
Great takeaways: A self-assessment and 360-degree review of a loved one’s needs, abilities, and goals; creating a budget; crisis preparation; an overview of legal matters; managing hospitalizations and hospital survival kit ideas
Who would benefit: Caregivers juggling caregiving and non-caregiving duties and needing to stay organized to prepare for crises and evaluate other resources if needed
“Meditations for Caregivers” ~ Barry Jacobs and Julia Mayer
Overview: This book blends emotional and spiritual motivations to minimize the stress and strains of caregiving.
Great takeaways: Inspiring meditations conveniently organized by chapters and easy techniques for practicing mindfulness
Who would benefit: Caregivers desiring daily inspiration and validation in brief, easy-to-flip-to segments
“They’re Your Parents Too! How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging without Driving Each Other Crazy” ~ Francine Russo
Overview: This book is divided into four parts with strategies for improving siblings’ interactions over specific issues and practical suggestions. Topics include anticipating confrontation, understanding sibling dynamics, avoiding emotional minefields, respecting each other’s unique parent-child relationship, and adjusting to new decision-makers.
Great takeaways: Blind spots to avoid, strategies to connect from long distances, and insights into birth order and how it may affect caregiving roles
Who would benefit: Caregivers struggling to find common ground or cooperation with siblings over the care of their parents
“Transitioning Your Aging Parent: a 5-step Guide through Crisis and Change” ~ Dale Carter
Overview: This book outlines creative ideas to help even the most frazzled caregiver reduce guilt and decrease stress while providing comfort to families through the ADAPT Method (Assess, Discuss, As a family, Plan, and Transition).
Great takeaways: Sanity checks at end of each chapter, how to measure your own capacity, and post-transition advice
Who would benefit: Caregivers attempting to create a transition plan, find resources to make it possible, and help their parent(s) adjust
