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The ABCs of Caregiving: Words to Inspire You by Nanette J. Davis, Ph.D.

4/30/2013

1 Comment

 
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Imagine, if you will, having the worse day ever with your elderly father, for whom you provide care.  He is in a foul mood and having temper tantrums over what you served for lunch, as well as what the President said in the news.  You just don't need this right now.  You have overdue bills to pay and a teenage son who was caught drinking last night.  You oh-so-much want to escape, but you're committed to your responsibilities.  How will you ever keep sane?

Think of The ABCs of Caregiving: Words to Inspire You by Nanette J. Davis, Ph.D. (House of Harmony Press, 2013) as a warm, comforting patchwork quilt to wrap around your tired body and shredded soul.  Each lovely patch on this quilt is a letter from the alphabet, representing words of wisdom and comfort for the caregiver.  For example, A is for Acceptance: accepting that you are only human; accepting that you've made sacrifices that rip your heart out, but with those sacrifices come profound gifts; accepting that you aren't able to be the person you used to be, but "you're more of the spiritual self you are meant to be."

If you are used to reading books with sequential chapters outlining processes that help you through a journey in life, toss that expectation out the window when you pick up this book.  The ABCs of Caregiving jumps between topics and "pearls of wisdom" according to the alphabet; it is not organized by topic.  So it may be a book better read by thumbing through it and finding the patches on the quilt that you need to ponder that day.  Topics include Burnout, Centering Prayer, Emotions, Forgiveness, Grief, Gratitude, Humor, Journaling, Mindfulness, Overcoming Obstacles, Stress-Reduction Strategies and so much more.

Davis wrote this book with gentleness and sensitivity.  Having been a caregiver for her husband for four years, she brings to this book the wisdom with which she was gifted through the experience.  She has been a facilitator for dementia patients as well as lecturing on end-of-life caregiving, writing numerous publications on the topic, and presenting workshops.  She is also the author of Caregiving Our Loved Ones: Stories and Strategies That Will Change Your Life.  Both books are available on Amazon.com.  You can learn more about Dr. Davis' work at http://www.abcsofcaregiving.com/.

The ABCs of Caregiving is not so much a book on how to take care of the person who requires caregiving, but more a source of comfort for the caregiver, a gift of Tender Loving Care for the frazzled.  When the caregiver is cared for, the quality of caregiving provided improves and the patient benefits.  I highly recommend this for every caregiver as a supplement to their caregiving instructional manuals and training, and as a gift for other caregivers you know.

1 Comment
Margaret Polino Nicholas
10/15/2013 11:10:10 pm

Each of these books look like a good read for me. Thanks !

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