The Eldercare Consultant: Your Guide to Making the Best Choices Possible
The Eldercare Consultant: Your Guide to Making the Best Choices Possible
Author: Becky Feola
Reviewed for the NABBW by: Anne Holmes
This book is primarily for you if you are or are about to become a caregiver, and you are looking for advice and help in what to do with ageing parents, siblings, or partners.
But it is also a great guidebook for those who come in contact with caregivers. That includes everyone from medical personnel, case managers, social workers, financial planners, spiritual leaders, eldercare attorneys – and even your children, family members – and friends and neighbors.
A unique feature of the book is that in addition to solid advice on extremely relevant caregiving issues, each chapter also includes personal stories from people who have faced similar challenges and scenarios.
These are not all success stories. As a result, you get an opportunity to learn what mistakes they made, and what they wish they would have done better. These first-person narratives will give you hope, as well as allow you to validate your feelings and emotions as a caregiver.
Another hugely beneficial book feature is the Caregiver Survival Tip that comes at the end of each chapter. These tips are focused on the chapter topic, and are designed to give you additional ideas and advice.
Speaking of chapter topics, they cover the full range of caregiving. Which means that some of the chapters will address issues you may not have yet had to face. But this is a good thing, of course, as it can allow you to prepare yourself for a future event. And give you the opportunity to prepare in advance.
Here’s a list of the chapter titles, to give you a good idea of the breadth of the book:
- Providing Eldercare for a Loved One
- The Caregiver’s Challenges
- Easing Caregiver Concerns with Proactive Behavior
- Nurturing Your Loved One’s Mind, Body, and Spirit
- Considering Options for Care Needs
- Paying for Your Loved One’s Care
- Having the Difficult Discussions
- Making the Right Decision
- Special Considerations for Care
- Final Words of Advice after Any Change
Author Becky Feola is the Founder of Assisted Living Advantage, which provides counseling, evaluations, and placement services for those seeking care options. She became a primary caregiver for her husband, at a very young age.
Within three months of their wedding, her husband Neil was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a degenerative brain disorder. Suddenly she found herself, an ordinary young woman who had only recently stood before God and family members, vowing to “love, honor and cherish in sickness and in health,” faced with taking care of a young husband who was losing control of his body and mind.
After his death some 11 years later, Becky began a journey of hope and service for others in similar situations. In addition to authoring this book, and founding Assisted Living Advantage, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based business mentioned above, Becky is NABBW’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving.
