Customer Reviews

Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal

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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.

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.

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

In lyrical prose, Ms. Witrogen shares her personal experiences and deep explorations into the myriad aspects of caregiving. Her honesty and deft touch make accessible and acceptable the essentially human but painful topics of loss, dependency, desolation, and dying. In sharing her own reflections and learning and by allowing those she met along her own path to speak in their own words, readers can encounter themselves in caregivers' stories, musings, doubts, regrets, and ultimately, their hardwon victories and spiritual growth. We are all of us faced with the certainty of aspects of the journeys illuminated by Ms. Witrogen; perhaps with her perspective and guidance, our individual paths can be more fully conscious, grounded, and loving for ourselves and for those we care.

In an ideal world, we'd all have parents who we would want to help in old age, and it would be our honor to help them in their old age as they have helped us in our youth.

However, for the children of substance abuse parents and/or mentally ill patients the answers do not come easy. Things are much more complicated than simply finding a place to live, and deciding how much time you can spend with said loved one.

I'm not trying to over simplify, because all decisions dealing with older loved ones are difficult, but I was kind of hoping it would have given me more direction as to when its important to protect yourself as well. Its easy to get caught up in the caretaker role, feeling like a matyr without thinking about wheither or not this is the best desicion for you and your immediate family. Especially, if its puts you at risk for other health issues.

Beth has been there for all of us as the head of our "Caregiving" support group. Her experience and knowledge has helped us through, and her beautiful book has helped us know, why she is so caring of others. A must read for all CAREGIVERS.

Beth McLeod's book Caregiving is an intense yet very readable book for someone having suffered a loss, someone in the process of losing a special person or even the reader wishes to learn what plans to put into place for one's own future. It is written for both the layman and the professional. The author shows that it is possible that within the chaos it is possible for the caregiver to survive and make peace as she has in her life. Her message is loud and clear that we are not alone - that we as helpers can find help.

Caregiving is a special gift, written from the heart. I haven't been able to keep a copy. As soon as I get a new one, I give it away. The saying goes that one can't judge a book by its cover, but Caregiving's cover picture reveals the depths to which one goes, as page by page Beth shares her own and others experiences with caregiving, death, and the growth that can come from such profound moments. As a licensed clinical social worker and as someone who has experienced the death of both parents, I say brava! A wonderful weaving of poetic wisdom and practical suggestions.

Caregiving is a godsend. Many of my grieving clients have struggled with the challenges of caring for a dying parent, an experience that can be fulfilling but also exhausting and even traumatic at times. In this helpful and heartful book, Beth McLeod weaves her own moving story with the stories of other caregivers, advice from professionals, and helpful suggestions; it offers offers the reader comfort, guidance and inspiration. I have already recommended it to many of my friends and clients.

This is a fascinating book. I highly recommend it, although I was hoping it would have more concrete ideas for caring for an elder. I would recommend something like the Fourteen friends Guide to Eldercaring if you are looking for comcrete suggestions and a unique support group.