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The Essential Carer's Guide
A
new handbook by Mary Jordan
Publisher: Hammersmith Press
Price: £14.99 paperback You can buy post-free from the publisher until 1st June
If you suddenly found yourself responsible for the care of a friend or relative who was unable to look after themselves, what would you do?
Do you know what sort of help is available? How about dealing with their finances?
There are all sorts of products to make daily tasks easier, but do you know what's available or where to buy?
If you need professional support, how do you go about choosing a care agency or nursing home?
Particularly useful for anyone who doesn't have access to the internet, this new book provides a wealth of information in a straightforward manner, illustrated by real case histories that, apart from anything else, help to remind the reader that, however lonely they may feel at times, other people have been through similar experiences, and found strategies to help ease the burden.
The author has extensive experience of caring for elderly relatives combined with an insider's understanding of the health services, having spent almost ten years as an NHS manager. The book is free from jargon and full of commonsense suggestions, particularly with regard to simple, cheap adaptations to the home; recognising the early signs of various medical conditions (including stroke and dementia); and dealing with nutritional problems.
Other chapters cover topics from financial management to transport, finding professional support, coping with dementia, answering social needs and looking after yourself (something that is easy to overlook when so much of your energy is directed to another person's care).
Each section concludes with a list of further resources, so that you can dig deeper on topics that are particularly relevant to you. There are also some details of product suppliers and sources of advice.
A book such as The Essential Carer's Guide cannot hope to provide the range of information that can readily be found on the internet, nevertheless it meets the need for sensible advice in a handy, portable format.
Reviewed by: Frances Leckie, Independent Living's Editor
Click the links below for more information that may be of help to carers:
Independent Living's guide to financial benefits
Independent Living's guide to telecare - services to monitor your friend or relative's well-being when you can't be there.
For information on products to help make life easier and more comfortable, please visit our Independent Living Product Centre
Independent Living's guide to respite care
Independent Living's guide to palliative care
Remember - if you don't find the answer to your question here, you can always email us, and we'll do our best to help.