When life is good, nobody likes to consider the inevitable reality that, one day, they are likely to take on a caring or support role for an elderly parent. It’s no wonder this transition is considered by many to be one of life’s most stressful events, for all involved, says Deborah Stone. Which is why she sat down and wrote a book all about it…
No one wants to think about getting older. At any age. When things are rolling along normally day to day, and everyone seems fit and well, there seems no reason to think about future problems that your friends and relatives might (and probably will) come across as they age.
In fact, it might even seem a little morbid to think such thoughts, or possibly even tempting fate.
Yet there will come a time when you must address these issues; and, ideally, this should be before any problems arise. But where do you go to get the (objective) information you?
That’s what inspired me to write The Essential Family Guide to Caring for Older People, which I hope is the ultimate source of information and help for families with care responsibilities. It draws on my many years of working in elder care to offer practical in-depth, advice on every aspect of the field to anyone taking on the role of a carer.
Topics range from how to get help immediately, legal information, care funding options, a guide to useful technology and advice on the main physical and mental health issues that affect older people. Plus, there’s guidance on navigating social services and ensuring you choose the right care for your situations. Crucially, the book also offers help on how to cope with life as a carer – with practical advice on juggling family, work and your caring responsibilities while looking after yourself.
Carers need help too
Three out of every five people will find themselves acting as a carer at some point in their life, with many reporting that it has an adverse affect on their own health. If that is you, and you can cover some of the knowledge groundwork before you reach that point, you’ll give your relative a better quality of life, and your own experience will be far more positive.
It’s all about informed choices so that anyone can understand the essentials of planning and managing care now. And this isn’t the kind of thing you want to rush and “binge learn” when you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a crisis as a carer!
Being a carer is often a full-time job that you must juggle around your existing career, family commitments, social life and self-care. Learning how to exercise balance is what can makes the difference between coping and not coping, and between struggling to provide care and doing so successfully. This book will give you everything you need to get started in the right way.
One reader of the book kindly commented, “I really don’t think you will find a more comprehensive and relevant book about this subject than The Essential Family Guide to Caring for Older People. It’s packed full of every single piece of information you need, such as Lasting Power of Attorney and why it’s so important to have it in place, help for carers, information on different medical conditions, keeping older people in contact with the outside world, dietary guidelines and so very much more. Everything has been thoroughly researched and is cross referenced with website addresses for a more comprehensive information on each separate issue.”
The AAA’s Tony Watts, adds: “There has never been a more important time for a clear and concise guide like this – the care system can be a confusing (and sometimes perilous) maze, and families need to be well prepared and know all their options if they are going to make the right decisions for their loved ones.”
“The Essential Family Guide to Caring for Older People” is available at: https://amzn.to/2Tw7HzN
