A Care Giver’s Guide – Book Review
Caregiving is not always an easy task, but it’s one that’s been around as long as humans have been alive. Taking care of your loved one at home can allow them to remain in a space that feels safe and comfortable for them. If you’re put in this situation, you may be looking for advice on how to do the role well.
It can feel like an impossible undertaking to take on the role of caring for a loved one. Fortunately, Josephine Clerk’s book A Care Giver’s Guide shines like a knowledge beacon, providing basic and complex advice to anyone who finds themselves in the role of caregiver. This brief but thorough manual clarifies the practical aspects of delivering high-quality care at home, making it a priceless tool.
Dedicated to all the caregivers (present and future), and to the authors own late parents, as well as to others who are close to the author, it is designed to help you understand how to take care of your loved one, should you find yourself taking on the role of caregiver.
The author starts the book off by giving her personal journey in homecare to help the reader understand her experiences and background.
Chapters are focused on how to identify support and services, how to set the environment, developing a routine, providing direct care, and more. You’ll learn how to recognize physical and mental changes. It’s also important to be observant so you will learn more about this and how to be on the lookout.
There’s information on hygiene and what it takes to be clean, as well as how to recognize the signs and symptoms of infection, which can be deadly in many patients. Being proactive is the most important steps you can take, so a chapter on prevention is added.
You’ll also learn about some common specific topics such as oxygen and nebulizer use, recognizing and managing blood sugar, and avoiding contamination and infection. But there are many more reasons you can benefit from this book.
The focus that Clerk’s book places on maintaining our loved ones’ comfort and dignity in their own homes rather than in institutions makes it stand out. This method not only speaks to the love and concern of a family, but it also offers useful advice on how to ensure that such an arrangement runs well. The book offers a road map for navigating the frequently challenging situations that come with providing care, from organizing daily schedules to responding to medical crises. You will feel better-equipped to handle anything that comes your way with this guide at your side.
The handbook is written so that anyone may use it, no matter what kind of care experience they have. The knowledge is guaranteed to be simply understood and applied by readers thanks to its step-by-step style. The book’s ending is enhanced with a heartfelt and contemplative prayer, which provides solace and encouragement to anyone who may be feeling fatigued from their responsibilities. It’s also important to be sure you have a good support system for yourself. This can be a very emotionally and physically draining job, and you can’t do it if you are not also taking care of yourself.
Clerk’s writing style guarantees that the content is readable and interesting. It’s very matter-of-fact in places, that I found very helpful. The author has crammed a ton of information into 140 pages, making it a rapid read without sacrificing important insights. You can go back and reference certain sections again and again, as often as you need. The book takes care of everything, from helpful advice on safety and hygiene to techniques for providing emotional support, making sure caregivers are ready for their task.
A Care Giver’s Guide promises to provide you the tools you need to improve the quality of care you give, whether you’re a novice caregiver or looking to brush up on your abilities. I really think it meets those promises. Those committed to providing at-home care for their loved ones will find this book to be not only informative but also empowering.
I give it 5 stars and I highly recommend to anyone else who is a caregiver, or thinks they may become one, or to anyone who just wants to be prepared in case the situation arises.
It’s available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions.