Eldercare 911 - Softcover

he intricacies of elder caregiving duties and responsibilities can be overwhelming, especially because adult children of aging parents do not know the ins and outs of the medical and social service systems, let alone how to cope with the emotional burdens of providing care for their ailing parents. They desperately wish for a single resource that answers their questions with "how to" information that restores their feelings of competence and control. Eldercare 911 is that resource.
With the steady growth of the elderly population, it is estimated that approximately one-third of Americans will be providing care for an elderly person in the near future. This well-researched, compassionate, and comprehensive handbook will empower caregivers to be the best they can be without neglecting their own very legitimate needs. The authors use excerpts from a compilation of caregiver interviews to demonstrate the most common problems in eldercare. Eldercare 911 is organized into easily accessible sections and subsections: 20 chapters divided into 131 topics and then into another 77 subtopics, making it simple for readers to find exactly what they are looking for. The authors give full consideration to the time limitations and career needs of working caregivers, and the special challenges faced by women with teenage children, spouses, or significant others who may not always be sensitive to the caregiver's balancing act.
Among the topics discussed are knowing when elderly people need help; how to intervene; finding and using support systems; handling burnout; managing medical, insurance, and benefits issues; overseeing medications; coping with Alzheimer's Disease and other serious illnesses; how to decide when hospitalization is necessary; detecting and dealing with abuse; working with eldercare professionals; setting up home care; making decisions and arrangements for alternate housing. The authors also examine rarely discussed, sensitive issues that affect family communication and relationships like parentsÆ sexual behavior, dating and remarriage, and death and dying.

Susan Beerman, M.S., M.S.W. (Fresh Meadows, NY), is president of Barrister Consulting Services, which specializes in eldercare management. She is also cofounder and Director of Education for Successful Elder Caregiving.
Judith B. Rappaport-Musson, CSA (Jupiter, FL) is a Certified Senior Advisor and the founder and president of Successful Elder Caregiving, which provides workshops, and newsletters for caregivers. She is also a founding partner of Preferred Client Services, which specializes in eldercare management.