God Knows Caregiving Can Pull You Apart: 12 Ways to Keep it All Together [Paperback]

Gretchen Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Series: God Knows | Publication Date: June 1, 2002

Everyday, men and women become caregivers, often without warning. They find themselves feeling lost as they try to figure out how to adapt. They are forced to make choices they hadn't anticipated, much less prepared for. They need help understanding what is expected of them and what they can realistically provide. They need psychological and spiritual support to cope with the new demands being made on their time and energy. Insight, support and refreshment are what God Knows Caregiving Can Pull You Apart offers the dedicated and weary caregiver. These stories provide caregivers with the assurance that they are not alone.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

America's population is aging, owing in part to improved medical care and the effective treatment of diseases that used to be considered terminal. Still, just because we are living longer doesn't necessarily mean that we are doing so without experiencing physical or mental deterioration, sometimes devastating. Thompson's book is designed to help people who find themselves in the role of caregiver to a parent, spouse, companion, or child, quite often unexpectedly and with no previous training for such a task. A major theme of the book is that "you are not alone." Thompson, an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, offers advice for connecting with other caregivers who may be encountering similar situations and stresses the importance of access to accurate information about medical conditions and to the various resources available to caregivers. Each section contains examples of dilemmas typically faced by caregivers, including the author, and simple exercises designed to provide the practical assessment of various solutions to problems. Thompson has written book that, like others in the "God Knows" series, is successfully aimed at providing quick information and will appeal to a wide audience. Recommended for public libraries. Mary Prokop, Savannah Country Day Preparatory Sch., GA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...is successfully aimed at providing quick information and will appeal to a wide audience. Recommended..." -- Library Journal, June 15, 2002

"...provides the kind of practical information one needs to pace oneself..." -- Bookviews.com, August 2002

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sorin Books; 1 edition (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893732444
• ISBN-13: 978-1893732445
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 11, 2008

By 

Jules (St Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God Knows Caregiving Can Pull You Apart: 12 Ways to Keep it All Together (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my mother, but began to read it before I gave it to her, and promptly bought a copy for myself.

The book contains short vignettes -- most are just a few pages and can be read in 5 minutes. This format is perfect, because it's easy to flip through and read one quickly.

The segments are usually based on real-life experiences of others; also effective, because it seems easier to hold onto those images and reflect back on them when you are stressed. Plus, they aren't preachy -- you can take or leave the message if it rings true. Many experts, meaning well, write with a "you should" or "you might try" tone but Ms. Thompson uses a gentle, respectful, almost reverent tone toward the very human stuggles of caregiving.

I highly recommend this book! Many of the messages are relevant to anyone balancing a busy life, not just those in a caregiving role. I keep it on my bookshelf and plan to share the stories with others from time to time.