Care for the Caretaker : How Jim Backus' Wife Did It: An Upbeat Guide for Those Who Care for Others

Rating:
Summary: Best Book I Ever Read
Review: "Care For The Caretaker" has been the most useful book I have ever read. It helped to save my life and my sanity. I was my father's principal caretaker as he was dying of Alzheimer's and now my mother has lung cancer. I was falling apart and didn't know where to turn ... my doctor's solution was to prescribe tranquilizers for me! But Henny Backus saved me with her book. Even as I was first reading it I immediately began to put her suggestions into practice and both my mother and I are benefiting from the book immensely. I highly recommend it for everyone; those who have suffered with a loved one as well as those who are going through it now. This book is invaluable! If I could, I would have rated "Care For The Caretaker" 100 stars. Thank you Henny Backus.

Rating:
Summary: Best Book I Ever Read
Review: "Care For The Caretaker" has been the most useful book I have ever read. It helped to save my life and my sanity. I was my father's principal caretaker as he was dying of Alzheimer's and now my mother has lung cancer. I was falling apart and didn't know where to turn ... my doctor's solution was to prescribe tranquilizers for me! But Henny Backus saved me with her book. Even as I was first reading it I immediately began to put her suggestions into practice and both my mother and I are benefiting from the book immensely. I highly recommend it for everyone; those who have suffered with a loved one as well as those who are going through it now. This book is invaluable! If I could, I would have rated "Care For The Caretaker" 100 stars. Thank you Henny Backus.

Rating:
Summary: Best Book I Ever Read
Review: "Care For The Caretaker" has been the most useful book I have ever read. It helped to save my life and my sanity. I was my father's principal caretaker as he was dying of Alzheimer's and now my mother has lung cancer. I was falling apart and didn't know where to turn ... my doctor's solution was to prescribe tranquilizers for me! But Henny Backus saved me with her book. Even as I was first reading it I immediately began to put her suggestions into practice and both my mother and I are benefiting from the book immensely. I highly recommend it for everyone; those who have suffered with a loved one as well as those who are going through it now. This book is invaluable! If I could, I would have rated "Care For The Caretaker" 100 stars. Thank you Henny Backus.

Rating:
Summary: Advice for Caregivers Offered with Compassion and Wit
Review: Best-selling author Henny Backus cared for her husband, actor Jim Backus ("Mr. Magoo," "Gilligan's Island," "Rebel Withough a Cause"), through his 10-year bout with Parkinson's disease. In "Care for the Caretaker, How Jim Backus' Wife Did It," Henny shares her experience and guidance with compassion and wit. "Care for the Caretaker" offers practical caregiving suggestions (take the aluminum walker into the shower) as well as advice on handling the emotional challenges of caring for an ill loved one. In easy-to-read, human terms, Hennny gives ideas that will benefit both the patient and the caregiver. "Care for the Caretaker" is a book for everyone who has or knows someone who has a loved one who is suffering with a serious illness. "Warm and Touching" -- Sidney Sheldon. "['Care for the Caretaker'] is a simple, readable book that can be of great benefit to others who may find themnselves in the role of caretaker. An intimate glimpse into lives that glow with hope and deep love. It is a book to be read by all who care -- about themselves and their loves ones." -- Jack Lemmon. "An extraordinary mixture of love and courage, "Care for the Caretaker" raises all the issues and tells you how to deal with them." -- Sherwood Schwartz, creator of "Gilligan's Island." "'Care for the Caretaker, How Jim Backus' Wife Did It' is absolute must reading for anyone who has an ill spouse or an aging parent. The book is educational with the Backus wit." -- James Bacon, veteran Hollywood columnist.

Rating:
Summary: Heart warming but not realistic.
Review: I thought Care for the Caretaker was more about care for the patient. I was hoping to read more about her frustrations and fears and how she handled them. As a young partner of a young Parkinson's patient I also found the book unrealistic. I cannot stay home and read to my partner or do exercises with him. What Henny was able to do for Jim is very touching and wonderful. I only wish we all had those options.

Rating:
Summary: This book is the "best friend" I wish had been with me.
Review: I walked into Dutton's books in Brentwood looking for something else when I saw a display of "Care For The Caretaker." The moment I read the first page I began to cry because I wished with all of my heart that my mother and I had had this book during my father's battle with acute lukemia - a fight he lost. For his comfort we did do a few of the things Mrs. Backus suggests, but we didn't think of so many others. I recommend this book to anyone who is going through the illness of a loved one, or knows someone who is. "Care for the Caretaker" is the best friend I wish we had known during that terrible time. The book not only offers practical advice that will really improve the quality of life for the person who is ill, but knowing how to make it better gives a lift to the caregiver, too. Also, it is romantic and funny. Jim Backus was a wonderful actor, but I suspect that his greatest gift must have been his wife. I urge everyone to buy this book - because I'm afraid we will all need it sooner or later. Thank you, Mrs. Backus!

Rating:
Summary: Sacrifice
Review: Thank you Henny for your book. It is obvious that great sacrifice was made by all the exercises you practiced to make life dignified as much as possible. Caretaking requires great energy and more time any of us want to give. You were able to spend more time than most would have, it sounds. You generously shared that with all of us as a means of making caregiving easier for all. Great healing of self and the ones we love can take place with these steps. Healing of the heart. Your expressions of love are great and inspirational.

Rating:
Summary: Sacrifice
Review: Thank you Henny for your book. It is obvious that great sacrifice was made by all the exercises you practiced to make life dignified as much as possible. Caretaking requires great energy and more time any of us want to give. You were able to spend more time than most would have, it sounds. You generously shared that with all of us as a means of making caregiving easier for all. Great healing of self and the ones we love can take place with these steps. Healing of the heart. Your expressions of love are great and inspirational.

Rating:
Summary: Thank Goodness for this Book
Review: Thank you, Mrs. Backus! My Grandfather moved in with my Husband, son and me after his stroke and I thought I would have one next until I read your book. I was so tired of reading heart breaking and helpless accounts so when I found your book I was not optimistic. You gave me a fresh outlook and real life suggestions that have turned our world around. I thank you for sharing your experiences and your clever deeds. All family members of the chronically ill should read this!

Rating:
Summary: Thank Goodness for this Book
Review: Thank you, Mrs. Backus! My Grandfather moved in with my Husband, son and me after his stroke and I thought I would have one next until I read your book. I was so tired of reading heart breaking and helpless accounts so when I found your book I was not optimistic. You gave me a fresh outlook and real life suggestions that have turned our world around. I thank you for sharing your experiences and your clever deeds. All family members of the chronically ill should read this!