Caregiving : The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal

by McLeod, Beth Witrogen

• ISBN13: 9780471392170
• ISBN10: 0471392170
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781630260637
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-18
• Publisher: Wiley
• More Book Details

Summary

Helping your family and loved ones when they need you most "Caregiving has a big heart-on a much-needed topic. A rare book of spiritual and practical wisdom."-Sue Benderauthor of Plain and Simple and Everyday Sacred "A poignant, wise, and in-the-trenches view of caregiving that is both practical and spiritual, especially of value to midlife adults."-Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of Goddesses in Everywoman and Close to the Bone "Lovely. . . . Beth McLeod's experience and wisdom shine through as she shares her heartfelt journey of loss, surrender, hope, and healing."-David Simon, M.D. medical director, the Chopra Center for Well Being, author of Vital Energy and Return to Wholeness Sooner or later it will touch us all: A family member or loved one becomes ill or disabled, and we step in to help. This is caregiving, and in this powerful, unique book, prizewinning writer and advocate Beth Witrogen McLeod leads us through the caregiving journey with unflinching authority and compassion. Framed by the author's personal odyssey as a caregiver and richly informed by the inspiring and poignant tales of others, Caregiving explores medical and financial problems, all aspects of spirituality, and such issues as depression, stress, housing, home care, and end-of-life concerns. A rare blend of powerful storytelling and practical information, Caregiving is a revelation.

Author Biography

BETH WITROGEN MCLEOD has written for Family Circle, SELF, Good Housekeeping, and Third Age Media, and teaches family caregiving through the University of California. For her writing and advocacy, McLeod has received the Society for Professional Journalists Public Service Award, the National Hospice Organization’s President’s Award, the Media Award for Outstanding Public Service from the Family Caregiver Alliance, and other honors. She lectures widely and has appeared on the Today show.

Table of Contents

Setting out on the path of caregiving

What Family Caregiving Is: I Am a Caregiver

Women and Caregiving: The Spirit of Christmas Present

The Medical/Financial Maze: A Sacred Sorrow

Caring for Aging Parents: Into the Abyss

Spousal Caregiving: Do Not Resuscitate

Emotional Wilderness

The Nature of Loss

The Stresses of Caregiving: Blessings

Caregivers and Depression

Hitting Bottom: To the Stars through Difficulty

Bridges To The Future

Support Strategies and Everyday Miracles

Caregivers, Religion, and Spirituality

End-of-Life Concerns

Caregiving as a Rites of Passage: Fancy Nightmares

Reclaiming Life

Awakening the Heart: Thank You for Everything

The Urge to Serve: Out Love Will Never End

Caregiving and Community

Appendix

Reference Notes

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.