To Survive Caregiving: Finding Hope, Help and Health

This is an excellent book for those caring for an elder now or in the future. The author is a doctor and provides a good overview of chronic disease, types of care and managing emotions. Difficult topics such as "what to do when an elder should no longer be driving" are discussed. The stories are very touching and demonstrate the need for people to understand seniors and the role of the caregiver.

I would recommend this book to children of aging parents who are just beginning the journey into caregiving. Seasoned caregivers have likely all ready learned these lessons but may wish they had had the opportunity to read this before being plunged into full-time caregiving. I especially appreciated the advice on dealing with those in the medical community who don't always listen. While there is global advice relevent to all caregivers Woodson has not specifically targeted spouses who are caregivers. Giving care to a parent vs. a spouse is radically different at times. Spouses reading this book looking for answers may feel frustrated because some of their biggest issues are not addressed.

The 36 Hour Day has more detailed information on dealing with the day to day grind of caregiving. While this book adds more of a game plan for dealing with the medical community from the start.

Authors reading their own books can more acurately express the intended emphasis they had in mind especially in a non-fiction such as this book. Cheryl Woodson was able to clearly share her compassion for caregivers both from her perspective as a doctor and caregiver.

The kid's turn to provide care!