Caresharing : A Reciprocal Approach to Caregiving and Care Receiving in the Complexities of Aging, Illness or Disability

by Richards, Marty

• ISBN13: 9781594732867
• ISBN10: 1594732868
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-19
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Pub

Summary

Rebalancing the prescribed roles in challenging caregiving situations so all involved are supported. New in Paperback! The word caregiver typically suggests someone doing all the giving for a frail, physically or mentally challenged, or aging person who is doing all the receiving. Marty Richards proposes a rebalanced approach of ¿caresharing.¿ From this perspective, the ¿cared for¿ and the ¿carer¿ share a deep sense of connection. Each has strengths and resources. Each can teach the other. Each can share in grief, hope, love and wisdom. Richards shows you how to move from independent caregiving to interdependent caregiving by engaging the spiritual and emotional aspects of caring for a loved one. Whether you are a daughter or son, a husband or wife, a sibling, long-term partner or good friend, Caresharing offers a multilayered, reciprocal process that will help you keep your spirit¿and your loved one¿s spirit¿alive in challenging times.

Table of Contents

Prelude	p. xi
The Dance of Sharing Care	p. 1
An Invitation to Share Care	p. 1
A New Vision for Sharing Care	p. 2
The Basic Steps of the Caresharing Dance	p. 7
Expanding the Caresharing Network	p. 13
The Body/Mind/Spirit Connection	p. 21
When Things Get Complicated	p. 30
Sharing Wisdom: What the Frail Teach the Well	p. 37
Inner Wisdom	p. 37
Clearing the Way	p. 39
Putting Yourself in the Role of a Learner	p. 42
Gaining New Understanding from Stories	p. 51
Receiving Spiritual Strength	p. 54
Families Sharing the Care: Reinventing the Roles and Rules	p. 58
Family Systems	p. 58
Family Roles	p. 60
Family Rules	p. 72
Family Secrets	p. 78
Sharing "Soul to Soul": A Special Relationship with People with Cognitive Limits	p. 83
Facing Difficult Challenges	p. 83
Understanding the Stages of Dementia	p. 84
Building Effective Communication	p. 93
Keeping the Spirit Alive	p. 100
Dealing with Difficult Behaviors	p. 105
Connecting Soul to Soul	p. 107
Sharing Grief: Coping with the "Large" and the "Little" Losses	p. 118
The Presence of Grief	p. 118
Facing Transitions	p. 119
Facing Losses	p. 120
Dimensions of Grief	p. 127
Grief Responses	p. 138
Coping with Grief	p. 141
Spiritual Dimensions of Grief	p. 147
Sharing Forgiveness: A Key Spiritual Journey in Caresharing	p. 155
The Importance of Forgiveness	p. 155
The Nature of Forgiveness	p. 158
The Barriers to Forgiveness	p. 160
Relationship Matters	p. 165
Daily Matters	p. 168
Where to Start	p. 172
Spiritual Dimensions of Forgiveness	p. 180
Reconciliation	p. 183
Sharing Hope: An Active Process One Step at a Time	p. 188
The Importance of Hope in Caresharing	p. 188
Definitions of Hope	p. 190
Four Key Aspects of Hope	p. 193
Keeping Hope Alive	p. 200
An Action Plan for Building on Hope	p. 206
Postlude	p. 223
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 225
Acknowledgments	p. 227
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