The Caregiver's Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself [Paperback]

Alexis Abramson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2004

One in four families in the U.S. is caring for parents or other senior relatives-and 72% of the primary caregivers in these families are women. This book is written for those 16 million women who are part of the "sandwich generation"-caught between the needs of their elderly relatives and their young families. These women often feel invisible, their own needs unobserved and unappreciated by those around them.

The Caregiver's Survival Handbook not only offers practical caregiving advice for these women, but also helps them deal with the emotional concerns they face:

€ Dealing with changing parent/child roles
€ Fostering aging parents' independence
€ Asking for, and getting, help from siblings and other family members
€ Balancing work, family, and caregiving duties
€ Finding time for themselves in the middle of it all

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Abramson directs this sourcebook at "caregivers at both ends of the spectrum," so whether readers are occasionally helping their parents balance their checkbook or are regularly bathing, feeding and dressing elderly family members, they’ll find valuable advice in this volume. The author, an aging expert who frequently appears on the Today Show, covers a lot of ground, and does a better job with certain subjects than others. Her advice on healthcare issues—from making sure those over 65 get enough calcium to paying for prescription drugs—is sound, if sometimes basic. And for particular afflictions (e.g., Alzheimer’s, dexterity problems), readers may want something more specific. But Abramson excels when she addresses the guilt, frustration, anger, fatigue and burnout that befall many women (this book’s primary intended audience) when they’re caught between caring for parents, children, maintaining a home and pursuing a career. She includes advice and anecdotes from women going through such travails, and their stories, coupled with Abramson’s soothing, compassionate advice, are sure to bolster the sense of self of many adults who are dealing with caring for their aging parents.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Dr. Abramson's soothing, compassionate advice is sure to bolster the sense of self of many adults who are dealing with caring for their aging parents.

--Publishers Weekly

"Few entrepreneurs have focused more sharply on the needs of older Americans than Alexis Abramson." 
--TIME Magazine

"With one in four families now caring for an older family member, Abramson's book is an invaluable tool."
--Chicago Tribune

"You can trust Doctor Alexis to help you through the emotional and physical demands of caring for your aging parents." 
--Ann Curry, NBC's Today show --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (August 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399529985
• ISBN-13: 978-0399529986
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #965,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ALEXIS ABRAMSON, Ph.D. is cited as America's leading, impassioned champion for those over 50. "Doctor Alexis" is an inspiring speaker, corporate consultant, successful author and award-winning entrepreneur and journalist. Her commitment to baby boomers, mature adults and caregivers has been featured in many national publications including TIME, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur and People magazines.

Dr. Abramson is an Emmy and Gracie award-winning journalist who has, in addition to many other media outlets, appeared frequently as an on-air expert Gerontologist for NBC's Today show, Weekend Today and the CBS Early Show. She is highly sought after as a keynote speaker at conferences, bringing awareness of baby boomer and mature adult issues to corporations, consumers, government agencies and nonprofit groups. As a consultant to industry, she is called upon to help make products and services boomer/mature-friendly, and employees more sensitive to the needs of the 50 plus consumer. "Doctor Alexis" has worked extensively with organizations such as AARP, Duracell, Arthritis Foundation, Delta Airlines, Subway, Harris Private Bank, sanofi-aventis, Humana, American Automobile Association and Century 21, among many others.

Abramson is the author of four highly acclaimed books -- The Caregivers Survival Handbook, a guide to help caregivers balance the responsibilities of caring for others and for themselves, Home Safety for Seniors, a room-by-room reference and idea-book for making independent senior and home-bound living easier, The 55+ Fact Book, a collection of must know facts, stats and interesting information about the 55+ demographic and The Caregiver Resource Guide, a comprehensive collection of resources and documents necessary for individuals caring for aging friends or family members.

Her life-affirming dedication to baby boomers, caregivers and mature adults has garnered Abramson the Working Woman Magazine General Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, Atlanta Small Business Person of the Year Award, 40 Under 40 Award, American Society of Aging Outstanding Small Business Award and many others. Abramson holds both a master's and a doctorate in Gerontology, which she received from the University of Southern California, the premiere school of Gerontology in the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST book on Caregiving I've ever read!, August 19, 2004

By 

R. Walker (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Caregiver's Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself (Paperback)

This book in superb. Having an ailing parent, I turned to this book for the helpful tips discussed on the jacket cover. But it was so much more than that....it made me feel understood. The plain-speak and thoughtfulness in the text made the goal of caregiving seem much more attainable....and less overwhelming. The stories and examples of others in a caregiving capacity helped me to feel not alone. I strongly recommend this book, whether you yourself are a caregiver or not, it is a must read book of the year.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars the other 20 percent...., March 20, 2009

By 

J Quesinberry (Toledo, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Caregiver's Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself (Paperback)

I'm 55, work a very demanding job 50 hrs a week or more and often "on call" for emergencies after hours. I also am the sole care provider for my mother who is suffering from Alzheimers and my father, suffering another form of dementia. Life is somewhat stressful at this point so I was looking forward to finding some help on surviving this difficult time with some "self" left when it's over. A few pages into the book the author gives statistics stating that 80 percent or more of elder caregivers are women. From that point on almost all references to the caregiver refer to "her" and things that women can do to help manage the process. Well, I'm part of the other 20 percent. As a guy, I had difficulty relating to many of the suggestions/comments and though it's probably a helpful book for women, I gave up about a third of the way into it and have moved on to searching for something I can better relate to.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally great advice for caring for an aging parent, August 9, 2004

By 

LM Miller "CJS Mom" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Caregiver's Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself (Paperback)

The Caregiver's Survival Handbook is a great resource for me in caring for an aging father. The book has given me great ideas on how to plan for his healthcare and his general well being while allowing me to care for my own family. This is the first book I have found that addresses these issues in such a positive way.