The Good Caregiver: A One-of-a-Kind Compassionate Resource for Anyone Caring for an Aging Loved One

(Paperback)

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Description

A survival guide with an insider's perspective, for the millions of unprepared caregivers of aging loved ones. As Americans are living longer, an unprecedented number of people now require long-term care during their last years. More than 15 million adult children now care for their elderly parents, and unsuspecting caregivers are usually unprepared financially, emotionally, and practically for the relentless job they will face. In The Good Caregiver, world-renowned expert on aging and long- term care Dr.Robert Kane provides a road map for caregiving. More than just a professional expert, Dr. Kane draws on his personal experience of caring for his aging mother after she struggled from a debilitating stroke. Dr. Kane offers heartfelt advice for those learning how to best care for their loved one and how to make thoughtful, informed decisions at each stage of the caring process- How does a nursing home differ from assisted living How is a homemaker different from a home health aide How far can you trust a hospital discharge planner What services does Medicare cover, and much, much more The Good Caregiver equips readers to deal more effectively with the challenges of day-to-day care and to navigate the system itself, including legal, financial, and interpersonal hurdles. Filled with stories and sidebars from other caregivers, The Good Caregiver offers a candid, personal approach to caregiving, providing fearless answers to difficult scenarios with humor and encouragement.

Reviews

"[Dr. Kane] retains the rare ability to communicate in a jargon-free way that resonates with lay people...I find his advice accessible, sensible, never sugar-coated and-perhaps most important-a particular comfort at times when we feel ignorant, helpless and overwhelmed. I can think of no better balm for the growing number of family care-givers than the admission, by a renowned expert in the field, that this is really hard stuff for everyone."
-Jane Gross, "New York Times"

"Dr. Kane is not just one of the world's foremost authorities in geriatric medicine and long-term care, he is also a passionate advocate for the ill-met needs of people facing the real and difficult realities of an aging society...This book combines a kind of pilot's check list for families entering unchartered territory, but it also steers them with a steady hand toward a place of dignity, and what comforts the world allows in their time of need."
-Ted C. Fishman, journalist ("National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, New York Times", and others)

"No one in America knows more about aging than Dr. Robert Kane-not only the scientific underpinnings of what causes it and how to responsibly stave it off-but more importantly, how to address its inevitability. This book will come as indispensble manual for anyone with a parent or grandparent approaching the Act III in life."
-Dan Buettner, author of "The Blue Zones"


"Dr. Kane is not just one of the world's foremost authorities in geriatric medicine and long-term care, he is also a passionate advocate for the ill-met needs of people facing the real and difficult realities of an aging society...This book combines a kind of pilot's check list for families entering unchartered territory, but it also steers them with a steady hand toward a place of dignity, and what comforts the world allows in their time of need."
-Ted C. Fishman, journalist ("National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, New York Times", and others)

"No one in America knows more about aging than Dr. Robert Kane-not only the scientific underpinnings of what causes it and how to responsibly stave it off-but more importantly, how to address its inevitability. This book will come as indispensble manual for anyone with a parent or grandparent approaching the Act III in life."
-Dan Buettner, author of "The Blue Zones"

Author Bio

Robert L. Kane is a professor with University of Minnesota's Division of Health Policy and Management. His research focuses on the acute and long-term care of aging adults, with a particular focus on the outcomes and effects of both hospital and post-hospital care. He received his medical degree from Harvard University.