It Takes More Than Love: A Practical Guide to Taking Care of an Aging Adult

Rating:
Summary: The Baby Boomers guide for caring for aging adults
Review: 'Straightforward, easy-to-understand, and never condescending'describes "It Takes More Than Love". As we as the Baby Boomer generation faces situations that we may remember taking place with our grandparents, we are now faced with. It may not be just our parents, but as we get older so does our family. Reading this guide helped me to realize that communication is key. That although we want to continue life as we know it, things do change and we must cope with this change. People get older and we must be able to recognize the signs and not feel that we are alone. One of the most helpful discussion was the constant advice that as a caregiver you have to take care of yourself. Use paper, use disposable, perfect is not necessary...love, caring and communication are.

Rating:
Summary: About the book
Review: As the baby boomers began to have children of their own, Dr. Benjamin Spock initiated many into parenting with his best-selling book on raising a child. Millions of American mothers found reassurance in his methods, friendly writing, and easy-to-understand guidelines to what was and wasn't normal as their children grew and developed. Now, many of these same mothers have found themselves in a new role-caring for older parents or friends along with their own families-a new role for which they may feel equally unprepared.

In the same vein as Dr. Spock's gentle guidelines comes It Takes More than Love: A Practical Guide to Taking Care of an Aging Adult, by Anita G. Beckerman and Ruth M. Tappen, two leading experts in the care of older Americans. It Takes More than Love gives family members, spouses, and friends of dependent older adults a trusted source for guidance and support as they take on their new caregiving roles.

Straightforward, easy-to-understand, and never condescending, this book blends practical advice, helpful tips, and detailed instructions for providing safe and effective care with guidelines for maintaining balance in one's own life. For those who may already be facing employment demands, children at home, and personal needs, it's easy to see why caregiving responsibilities can be overwhelming-and why this book is so essential.

Helpful advice abounds on topics covering both the physical and the emotional needs typical to caregiving, including bathing, feeding, moving, managing medications, dealing with incontinence, and providing emotional support to an older person. Chapters also emphasize the communication skills needed to resolve caregiving issues and strengthen family relationships.

Rating:
Summary: This book has everything you need to know!
Review: Caregiving is a hot topic in books and magazines these days, but usually only a couple of aspects of caregiving are addressed. This book covers everything: what to do day-to-day; how to care for yourself, too; how to deal with simple health issues; and how to find support outside your home. The presentation is so accessible--charts, lists, illustrations--so you can go right to the information you need on any given day. It's full of other people's stories, which made me feel like we all go through a lot of the same things. It helps you do what you need to do and at the same time recognize when you're taking on too much, and what to do then. The book also discusses more medical topics (incontinence, falling, foot care, medicines) in a way that's easy to read and makes problems less intimidating. It Takes More than Love will help both the caregiver and the care recipient live better lives.

Rating:
Summary: A wealth of solid, practical, accessible information
Review: Collaboratively written by gerontology expert Anita G. Beckerman (College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University) and Ruth M. Tappen (Christine E. Lynn Eminent Scholar Chair and Professor in the College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University) It Takes More Than Love: A Practical Guide To Taking Care Of An Aging Adult is a straightforward, "user friendly", caretaker's guide for anyone charged with the responsibility of looking after an elderly loved one. From learning how to balance one's time and needs, to assessing physical and mental well-being in one's charge, to communicating effectively with doctors and health professionals, It Takes More Than Love offers a wealth of solid, practical, accessible information and is a "must-read" instructional and advisory for anyone new to the task of looking after older family members or associates.

Rating:
Summary: This book has everything you need to know!
Review: I checked this book out from my local library and found it to be such a wonderful resource that I'd like to purchase a copy to keep and read over. It contained very practical information, was easy reading (didn't talk in technical language) and will help me with coping in the stressful job of being a caregiver for my aging parent.

Rating:
Summary: Great Resource
Review: I checked this book out from my local library and found it to be such a wonderful resource that I'd like to purchase a copy to keep and read over. It contained very practical information, was easy reading (didn't talk in technical language) and will help me with coping in the stressful job of being a caregiver for my aging parent.

Rating:
Summary: practical advice that is easy to use
Review: I've been taking care of my mom for about 2 years now. A friend recommended that I read It Takes More Than Love. It is filled with very practical, hands-on advice. I've already put lots of their suggestions to use. What I especially like is that it is written in a very easy to read style that is not full of jargon. Reading many parts made me think they must know exactly what I am experiencing. I'd recommend it to anyone who is caring for a family member.

Rating:
Summary: practical advice that is easy to use
Review: I've been taking care of my mom for about 2 years now. A friend recommended that I read It Takes More Than Love. It is filled with very practical, hands-on advice. I've already put lots of their suggestions to use. What I especially like is that it is written in a very easy to read style that is not full of jargon. Reading many parts made me think they must know exactly what I am experiencing. I'd recommend it to anyone who is caring for a family member.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book, very informative, a must read!
Review: It Takes More Than Love is a great book that opens up a wealth of information to anyone caring for an aging adult or for someone who wants to learn more about the area. This book will help anyone with the day to day care for an aged adult. It will also explain other methods that you may not have thought of on your own. It is extremelly helpful for someone who doesn't know a great deal about caring.

This is a wonderful book, including not only information but pictures and diagrams to help reenforce it. Again this book really helped me, and would be a great read for anyone now in the area or exploring the area of caring for an aging adult.

Rating:
Summary: it takes more than love
Review: This book is written in a way that is never condescending; it talks to the reader as if one were sitting in their kitchen or living room. The content of the book is very thorough, concise, and informative. It truly is a Dr. Spock book for the older adult. I loved the sharing of personal experiences; they make one feel that they are not the only one living through this time of life as a caregiver. I also became aware through reading this book, of the importance of caring for self, even if the time needed for this is sparce. The ideas to achieve the time were very helpful. I highly recommend this book to all caregivers and also to all young adults to have to think about what they may need to know as they get older, and perhaps become caregivers.