Caregiver's Reprieve

Book excerpt: A practical discussion of the emotional challenges of caring for an aged or chronically ill loved one. Combines expert narrative with personal vignettes of four caregivers. Helps readers deal with the reality of tragedy, understand the dramatic changes in life expectations, and accept the validity of their emotional responses. Chapters cover what it means to be a caregiver, physical and cognitive changes in the patient, the impact on one's beliefs and life expectations, developing healthy coping strategies. Appendices offer detailed descriptions of stroke, head injury, tumors, Parkinson's and more.