Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal [Paperback]

Beth Witrogen McLeod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2000

Helping your family and loved ones when they need you most

"Caregiving has a big heart-on a much-needed topic. A rare book of spiritual and practical wisdom."
—Sue Bender, author of Plain and Simple and Everyday Sacred

"A poignant, wise, and in-the-trenches view of caregiving that is both practical and spiritual, especially of value to midlife adults."
—Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of Goddesses in Everywoman and Close to the Bone

"Lovely. . . . Beth McLeod's experience and wisdom shine through as she shares her heartfelt journey of loss, surrender, hope, and healing."
—David Simon, M.D. medical director, the Chopra Center for Well Being, author of Vital Energy and Return to Wholeness

Sooner or later it will touch us all: A family member or loved one becomes ill or disabled, and we step in to help. This is caregiving, and in this powerful, unique book, prizewinning writer and advocate Beth Witrogen McLeod leads us through the caregiving journey with unflinching authority and compassion. Framed by the author's personal odyssey as a caregiver and richly informed by the inspiring and poignant tales of others, Caregiving explores medical and financial problems, all aspects of spirituality, and such issues as depression, stress, housing, home care, and end-of-life concerns. A rare blend of powerful storytelling and practical information, Caregiving is a revelation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"By my old professor’s side, I learned the precious value of caregiving. I am grateful that Beth McLeod has put together a fine source to help bring out the helping heart in all of us." —Mitch Albom author of Tuesdays with Morrie Sooner or later it will touch us all: A family member or loved one becomes ill or disabled, and we step in to help. This is caregiving, and in this powerful, unique book, prizewinning writer and advocate Beth Witrogen McLeod leads us through the caregiving journey with unflinching authority and compassion. Whether it involves caring for an aging parent, an ill spouse or partner, or a disabled child, caregiving takes us into a new reality quite unlike that of our usual workaday life. Too often, we don’t know where to find help or what questions to ask, and the health care system seems to get more complex every day. An indispensable guide for anyone who is or has been a caregiver or who anticipates becoming one, Caregiving includes advice from leaders in the fields of aging, medicine, finance, and spirituality. It explores medical and financial problems as well as such issues as depression, stress, housing, home care, and end-of-life concerns. The author also includes dozens of helpful resources at the back of the book. Framed by the author’s personal odyssey as a caregiver, Caregiving is richly informed by the inspiring and poignant tales of other caregivers. Caregiving shows that while at first we experience the dark night of the soul, through service to others we can discover our true nature and develop lovingkindness and compassion; through caregiving we can see the renewal of both self and community. Personal transformation has been witnessed in sacred traditions throughout human history, and in Caregiving Beth McLeod draws on the wisdom of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and shamanism, and on the writings of current and past spiritual figures, to illuminate the way. A rare blend of powerful storytelling and practical information, Caregiving is a revelation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Helping your family and loved ones when they need you most

"Caregiving has a big heart–on a much-needed topic. A rare book of spiritual and practical wisdom."
—Sue Bender, author of Plain and Simple and Everyday Sacred

"A poignant, wise, and in-the-trenches view of caregiving that is both practical and spiritual, especially of value to midlife adults."
—Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of Goddesses in Everywoman and Close to the Bone

"Lovely. . . . Beth McLeod’s experience and wisdom shine through as she shares her heartfelt journey of loss, surrender, hope, and healing."
—David Simon, M.D. medical director, the Chopra Center for Well Being, author of Vital Energy and Return to Wholeness

Sooner or later it will touch us all: A family member or loved one becomes ill or disabled, and we step in to help. This is caregiving, and in this powerful, unique book, prizewinning writer and advocate Beth Witrogen McLeod leads us through the caregiving journey with unflinching authority and compassion. Framed by the author's personal odyssey as a caregiver and richly informed by the inspiring and poignant tales of others, Caregiving explores medical and financial problems, all aspects of spirituality, and such issues as depression, stress, housing, home care, and end-of-life concerns. A rare blend of powerful storytelling and practical information, Caregiving is a revelation.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471392170
• ISBN-13: 978-0471392170
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.7 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly compelling and poignant book for all of us. October 20, 1999

By "superevie"

Format:Hardcover

Beth Witrogen McLeod's book Caregiving The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal is a must read for any person taking care of an ill loved one, whether they are a child, spouse and/or aging parent. My interview with Beth revealed a strong woman with a fierce detrmination to help other caregivers make the most of a very painful situation. Beth includes her own personal journey along with the stories of hundreds of people she has met online in her chat groups or in person during her many public appearances in her incredible book. As the creator and editor of HotFlash! a woman's online perimenopause/menopause magazine and online support group, I have found women in the same place as Beth. She has described so well in her book the guilt, the pain, the sorrow and yes, at times, the joy of taking care of a sick loved one. In attempting to find hope and love in a truly difficult situation, Beth guides us to make good decisions not only for the person needing care but for the person herself. She pulls back the curtain on this often overlooked yet important topic.

This is a must read for anyone taking care of a loved one and for the rest of us who will one day be in these extraordinary shoes.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A manual for finding comfort with the uncomfortable July 20, 1999

By Jerry M. Kaiser ([e-mail])

Format:Hardcover

Please read "Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal," by Beth Witrogen McLeod (John Wiley and Sons, 1999). This extraordinary book presents the most challenging aspects of giving care - adults caring for their infirm or dying parents, spouses, and others - with incredible compassion and grace. I have never read a book which made me feel as comfortable with the uncomfortable as has Beth's.

Through her own experience with dying parents while an editor with the San Francisco Examiner Magazine, Beth began a series of "Caregiver" articles which included stories, suggestions, and resources for those going a similar life challenge. Beth's journey became a full-time commitment, resulting in this wonderful book.

In "Soul Keeping," she writes: "It can be necessary to uproot a parent, not just for physical well-being but for preservation of their very spirit. For it is not just a body that we are asked to care for: the unspoken role of every caregiver is guardian of the soul, and this prospect can be the most frightening. For where does well-being come but from within? Where does the giving come but from compassion? We are asked not only to be gatekeepers but especially soul keepers, preserving the best in our parents and inheriting the wisdom of their experience. When we are shepherding their lives, we had best be mindful of their spirits as well."

As instructive as it is moving, "Caregiving" includes action steps designed to assist those facing the many overwhelming challenges of caring for loved ones. It is a manual of compassionate care, and a wonderful gift for yourself.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Read" book on Caregiving Love & Joy of Life Renewal May 2, 1999

By "stanman1"

Format:Hardcover

Every adult should read this book. It is heart warming and inspirational; practical and thorough with all aspects of caregiving. McCleod plumbs the depth of the soul challenged with caregiving. Her personal story of loss, the many poignant tales of caregivers, helpful advice from professionals, and the spiritual transformation that occurs with the care and loss. It also is a glorious reaffirmation of the joy of life that continues for the caregiver...even after loss. As Rosalyn Carter said: "There are only 4 types of people: those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who receive care, and those who will be caregivers in the future!" This book must be read and re-read ....it will inspire you as you learn what true love and commitment is, the innermost core of you, and finally, you will cherish the stories of caregivers who were changed forever as they resumed their lives after loss. This will be a landmark book on the Rite of Passage and the Human Spirit. It is a worthy adjunct to Gail Sheehy's book of the Rites of Passage. Thank you, Beth McCloud