5 Books for Caregivers of Elderly Parents
Seeing your parent age into their golden years isn’t always easy. This period of life can come with many changes, especially if your relationship with your parent is shifting to that of a caregiver.
There are many benefits to caregiving for your parent. In many cases, it can help to bring you closer and provide you with many meaningful memories of time spent together.
However, caregiving for your elderly parent can also be difficult. This is new territory for your parent-child relationship, and you may find that you need some support dealing with the struggles of this unfamiliar situation.
Hearing firsthand accounts of people who have gone through similar situations or professionals who have keen insight into the topic of caregiving can help you feel less alone as a caregiver for your parent.
One of the best ways to dive deep into these perspectives is by reading books for caregivers of elderly parents, as the book format allows individuals to elaborate on many details of their experience.
Looking for some books for caregivers of elderly parents to check out? Here are five great recommendations.
When Your Aging Parent Needs Help
“When Your Aging Parent Needs Help” is a useful guide written by Leslie Kernisan, MD, a geriatrician who aims to empower caregivers of elderly parents with useful information about their health and safety.
Many adult children of aging people have never worked in a facility with geriatric patients or provided care for an elderly person before. They may not know the signs to look out for when it comes to their parents developing memory issues and physical safety concerns.
Dr. Kernisan helps readers understand the signals of change in their parents and provides examples of how to provide assistance while remaining respectful and loving.
They’re Your Parents, Too!: How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy
Many specific circumstances can make your experience as an adult child caregiver of your parent unique or challenging. One of those is having siblings who are also involved in your parent’s life and care.
When the family dynamic shifts, and the parent now needs the care of the children, it can lead to disagreements or resentment among siblings that can strain their relationships.
“They’re Your Parents, Too!” by Francine Russo takes a close, personal look at the ways in which sibling relationships can be tested by parental caregiving.
If you’re experiencing strain with your siblings during this process, this book can help to provide comfort and solutions using real-life situations, techniques for negotiation, expert advice, and more.
When the Time Comes: Families with Aging Parents Share Their Struggles and Solutions
Books for caregivers of elderly parents with advice and tools from experts can be extremely helpful, but sometimes, all you want to hear are the true stories of other people in your situation to feel less alone in your struggle.
“When the Time Comes” by journalist Paula Span is a rich anthology of personal stories from multiple families that have faced the aging of their parents and the hands-on learning process required of the role of caregiver.
These stories outline the difficulties of taking on new responsibilities and shifting the family dynamics, but they also express the unique joy and pride that can be found in helping your parent age with dignity.
The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself
Many books for caregivers of elderly parents center around the parent and how you, as their adult child, can provide them with the best care. While these tools are important to learn and use, it’s also crucial to remember that in order to be a great caregiver, you need to take care of yourself first.
“The Conscious Caregiver” by Linda Abbit focuses on the importance of mindfulness in anyone working as a caregiver. Mindfulness is a common concept in the mental health space that encourages the act of actively taking in your surroundings and grounding yourself in the present moment.
Abbit draws clear connections between a more mindful state of being and a more effective and enjoyable experience surrounding caregiving, as well as the clear relationship between your mental health and your happiness.
In order to provide your parent with the care they deserve, you need to make sure your mental health is prioritized as well, and living more mindfully can help you to achieve peace and well-being.
Creating Moments of Joy Along the Alzheimer’s Journey: A Guide for Families and Caregivers
If you’re looking to gain a more positive outlook surrounding caregiving, “Creating Moments of Joy” by Jolene Brackey is one of the best books for caregivers of elderly parents to explore. Brackey speaks specifically about her experiences and knowledge surrounding the care of someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This book aims to give ideas and inspiration when it comes to finding happy and positive moments amid Alzheimer’s symptoms. Though there is certainly struggle that comes along with this condition, Brackey describes the many ways in which joy can be found along the way as well.
Learn from Those Who Have Gone Before
With so many difficulties to traverse, as well as joyful moments to be savored, caregiving for your elderly parent can be a complicated experience. However, reading about the lived experiences of others in your situation and getting the advice of experts can help you feel more equipped to take on the challenge.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
