Taking care of an elderly person is no easy task, so you need to seek help regularly. Books on elderly care come in handy in this case. Sure, you can get advice from professional caregivers, experts in the medical field, friends, or colleagues who have cared for older adults before. However, you can learn more by reading books. They contain a wealth of information you cannot get from a professional in one go. Some even feature relatable stories that encourage and inspire you not to give up on your loved one.
There are numerous books on caring for elderly parents, spouses, friends, or other family members available on the market. So, the main challenge would be selecting the ideal one for you as a caregiver. Don’t worry, though. This article recommends several books that will help you navigate the caregiving journey with less hassle.
Top Rated Books on Elderly Care: A Comprehensive Guide
If you have decided to seek the help of books on elderly care, then you might want to go for the best. Check the options available below:
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace and Peter V. Rabins
Mace, a professional dementia consultant, collaborates with Rabins (a professor of psychiatry) to offer deep insights into effectively caring for old people with different mental issues. They also offer guidance on how to get professional help to enhance your loved one’s overall well-being.
A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents and Ourselves by Jane Gross
This 2012 best-seller narrates Gross’s (a renowned blogger and reporter at the New York Times) first-hand experience caring for her mother. It touches numerous subjects, including how to care for aged parents, navigating care more effectively, adapting to the new role as a caretaker, etc.
The Caregiver’s Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself by Alexis Abramson and Mary Anne Dunkin
This is one of the books on caring for elderly parents you must have. Alexis Abramson, PhD, who has dedicated almost 3 decades to multigenerational studies, and Dunkin, a US Medicine Journalist, use their expertise to advise readers about including other family members in caregiving duties, preventing conflicts with elderly parents, and overcoming guilt.
The Complete Eldercare Planner by Joy Loverde
Written by Loverde, a leading expert on successful aging and family caregiving, this nice workbook features information that helps you remain organized while caring for your elderly parent or family member. It also includes action plans, checklists, worksheets, and tools to assist you in creating efficient strategies for parent care.
Must-Read Books for Understanding Books on Elderly Care
Knowledge is power. That’s why you need to read more to learn how to deliver better care to your aged parent. On that note, here are some books on elderly care you must read to improve your caregiving skills, as well as receive inspiration to go on:
Daily Comforts for Caregivers (Pat Samples)
This is a good book, especially if you feel overwhelmed by the daily struggles of caregiving. Through the book, Pat Samples (a human development professional) offers gentle guidance and support through stories, acting as a great source of inspiration. By highlighting the different emotions caregivers encounter, the book helps you to embrace the daily rollercoaster of caregiving.
A Guide for Caregiving (Tina Merrell)
As the name suggests, this lovely book provides helpful tips on caring for an elderly parent or family member. As a registered nurse and home healthcare veteran, the author uses her expertise and technical knowledge to advise on many aspects of older adult care.
Caring for Your Parents: The Complete Family Guide (Hugh Delehanty and Elinor Ginzler)
The list of books on caring for elderly parents wouldn’t be complete without this wonderful guide. Written by experts on long-term care and caregiving from AARP, this book integrates useful tips. As such, it covers topics such as talking to parents about finances, coping with end-of-life issues, signs of aging, and more. There are also checklists to help you identify issues to discuss with the elderly parents, maintaining home safety, etc.
Beginner’s Guide to Books on Elderly Care
Having an elderly person depending on you entirely or partly can be overwhelming at first. Yes, books on elderly care can be very helpful, but it’s easy to get confused about which to buy. Check out some tips to guide you in choosing the ideal book:
Look for Overview Books
As a beginner, it’s advisable to get a book that gives a general overview of elderly care. It can include subjects related to caregiving basics, nutrition, medication management, safety at home, emotional support, common health conditions among the elderly, etc.
Focus on Practical Advice
Go for books on caring for elderly parents that offer advice that you can actually implement. These can encompass managing medication regimens, communication methods, safety at home, and ways of overcoming caregiving challenges.
Consider Personal Stories
Books that tell personal stories from caregivers and healthcare providers may sound more relatable, offering important insights and inspiration. In a way, they help you navigate caregiving more easily and give you the strength to go on. If others have done it, you also can.
Go for Recommended Books
Experts in the area of elderly care regularly recommend books to read. Check them out; you are sure to find one that suits your needs. You can also find good books if you follow the recommendations made by support groups and online communities.
Expert Recommendations: Books on Caring for Elderly Parents
There are some books on caring for elderly parents that you need to look at:
The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself by Linda Abbit
The book’s name clearly highlights what it’s about. Abbit (a former caregiver) uses the books as a platform to educate you on navigating elderly care while still ensuring your mental well-being. It also gives tips on handling emotional stress and staying financially secure.
They’re Your Parents, Too!: How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy by Francine Russo
This is one of the best books on elderly care that provides insights and information to help you make productive decisions as you and your siblings assume your parents’ roles. The author, a psychology journalist, offers expert advice, comfort, solutions to various challenges in caregiving, and more.
When Your Aging Parent Needs Help by Leslie Kernisan and Paula Spencer Scott
Written by a geriatrician and a family-life specialist, this book seeks to empower you with knowledge about ensuring the health and safety of your loved one. It helps you comprehend the signals of change in your parents and shows you how to help them in a loving and respectful manner.
How to Choose the Right Books on Elderly Care
Selecting the correct books on elderly care is vital in ensuring you get appropriate guidance on caring for your loved one more effectively. With that said, here are several tips to help you choose the best ones:
Identify the Topic You Want to Learn
It could be that you want to educate yourself on certain topics like Alzheimer care, proper nutrition for older people, stress management, cognitive health, financial planning in elder care, etc. This makes it easier for you to find the books that will meet your needs as a caregiver.
Check Out the Author’s Background
Before purchasing a book, research the author(s) background or experience in elder care. You can trust authors who are geriatric specialists, doctors, or experienced caregivers; their advice is more practical and credible.
Look for reviews: Search for reviews of books on caring for elderly parents you want to buy. Websites like Goodreads or Amazon include testimonials that offer important insights from other readers or experts.
Ask for Recommendations
It’s a good idea to ask fellow caregivers, healthcare professionals, or support groups to recommend books to help you navigate the caregiving journey with less hassle. Given their experience, they are likely to recommend books with practical advice. If you are lucky, some might even lend you some of their books.
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