From my own journey of caregiving for my mother, I have been seriously considering writing a book about caregiving. Do you think anyone would read it or that we need something like this on bookshelves?
In my opinion, I feel that the memoir market is way too overly saturated. The most effective books for me when exploring a topic is maybe 20% personal story and 80% studies, data and tangible examples of how to solve the problem or seek help. I wouldn't want this book to be the mother daughter journey we did for caregiving (although it actually is an interesting story) since sometimes when we share too much, we tend to be self centered and lose the teaching moment.
Any feedback about what kind of research or book you would read, I'd love to see it here for inspiration. Thank you!
So many of the questions on the forum are repeated again and again and it's obvious that the newbies haven't got a clue how to even begin. Informing people about the basics
- like government agencies they've probably never heard of such as local agencies on aging, APS, the realities of medicare and medicaid look backs
- the difference between normal aging and dementia, and that dementia is an umbrella term that includes Alzheimer's
- senior housing options and their differences
- options for dealing with incontinence
- what is needed to make a senior friendly home
- all the wonderful gadgets and durable medical equipment available and where to get it and how to pay for it
- how to find resources on line and the benefits of you tube videos
and many more
Then when it all hit, that my parents needed help, I didn't know what to do. In fact, I had never heard of caregiving agencies until my Dad was in the hospital and the case worker told me about professional caregiving agencies that one can hire to help at home. Never even heard of hospice. Never heard of Independent Living, or Assistant Living nor Memory Care.
I just wasn't around seniors. My parents were still walking 2 miles a day when they were in their very late 80's, and still lived in their home. It wasn't until my Dad had to stop driving that the journey began. Believe me, I was a fish out of water. What an eye opener.
It was my primary doctor who gave me a website name, and on that Internet search is when I found Aging Care :)
As Midkid had mentioned, I also learn from other people's situations and how they solved it [if it can solved].
already immersed in it and begin to look for answers and support. Honestly, I prefer to get my information on line, the studies and information on dementia is changing rapidly and helpful resources can be very area specific.
Having a one place source for support with the aging situations would be awesome. I felt like I have just been feeling my way in the dark as I give care, to DH, Mom, Daddy, FIL....even caregiving for a short respite period of time.
I actually WORKED in Elder Care as one of my many jobs. I learned so much from that experience.
For people to whom the whole CG thing is totally out of their wheelhouse, a reference book would be great.
You'd be able to cull like 90% of the info you'd need from all of us here on AC.
However, as helpful as that could be--for me? nothing beats reading about someone else's dramas and hopefully saying something to help them.