The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers [Paperback]

Maria M. Meyer (Author), RN Paula Derr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2007 | Series: The Comfort of Home

Burnout — the complete drain of physical, spiritual, and emotional reserves — occurs when a caregiver slips into exhaustion or depression. More and more frequently, the responsibility of caring for the chronically ill child, the disabled spouse, or the aging parent falls on a family member. From the decision to be a caregiver to dealing with day-to-day activities, this guide provides help with every aspect of home care. Also included in this edition are a checklist of tasks, a chapter on self-care and avoiding caregiver burnout, a glossary, and list of helpful resources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Overall a beautifully designed book with very useful, practical information for caregivers. --Judges from the Benjamin Franklin Awards

Noteable here are the specifics, Where others focus on psychology alone, this gets down to the nitty gritty. --The Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: CareTrust Publications LLC; 3rd edition (January 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966476794
• ISBN-13: 978-0966476798
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Home Care
  • #93 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Multiple Sclerosis

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Midwest Book Review, September 27, 2007

By 

source reviewers - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers (Paperback)

The Midwest Book Review (April 2007) writes: Now in a newly and substantially revised and expanded third edition, "The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide For Caregivers" continues to earn its reputation as the 'bible' for providing home caregivers to aged, ill or handicapped loved ones with a thoroughly 'user friendly' illustrated guide that covers everything necessary from daily living tasks to preparations for hospice care, to making funeral arrangements. This is a complete and superbly organized, 216-page, comprehensive 'how to manual that will help the caregiver to develop their skills, expertise, and confidence, which will in turn enhance their peace of mind with respect to the quality of life for the person they are caring for. [Vogel's Bookshelf - The Midwest Book Review, April 2007]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very useful book, July 4, 2009

By 

art teacher "Jane" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers (Paperback)

This book is very useful and user friendly. Filled with a wealth of information. I would highly recomend to someone who has an elderly parent. It gives important info for where to go for help and how to plan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommend this guide to anyone who is considering becoming a caregiver., August 17, 2007

By 

Reader Views "Reviews, by readers, for readers" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers (Paperback)

Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (8/07)


I was really impressed with the comprehensive material in this 3rd edition of "The Comfort of Home." As a Social Worker in a previous life, this would have been the book that I would have given to individuals who were considering becoming a primary caregiver. Nothing has been left out in this very well-written guide that a person needs to consider when undertaking this process.

"The Comfort of Home" is set up so that it can be read from beginning to end, or as a reference guide that a person can look up specifics. Oftentimes, taking on the task of a caregiver seems completely overwhelming. Meyer helps break the tasks down into manageable steps that include tips, questions that need to be asked and additional resources to follow up with. The author begins the book by helping the reader decide if home care is an option for them to consider. Her approach is honest and guilt-free for the person making this decision. Following this process, a person needs to decide what level of care is needed and whether this can be provided at home. I really thought that the section on paying for care through Medicare, Medicare part D, Medigap and the many other types of benefits was easy to follow.

As a proponent of long-term planning, I especially liked the section for setting up a care plan. Following these suggestions will make it easy to have someone step in as a temporary caregiver to give the primary caregiver a break, reporting to medical staff and in helping the caregiver not to make mistakes. Being a caregiver can be exhausting and keeping records on the patient, especially with important medication schedules. There are so many chapters that cover every aspect of a person's life such as exercise, diet, nutrition, special challenges and daily activities. Each area is thoughtfully addressed and ends with other available resources in dealing with that area.

The author does an excellent job throughout "The Comfort of Home" in reminding the caregiver to take care of themselves. She even includes a whole section on how to avoid burnout and ends with dealing with funeral arrangements and the grieving process. I would highly recommend this guide to anyone who is considering becoming a caregiver.

Book received free of charge.