6 Books on Senior Care That Every Caregiver Should Read

While friends, family, and healthcare professionals are ideal components of any support system, it’s just as important to learn from other caregivers.

For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best books written by caregivers, for caregivers. These unique perspectives can help provide advice, understanding, and maybe even a different way of looking at the caregiving experience.

Our top 6 books include:

• Daily Comforts for Caregivers – Pat Samples: Frequently used in caregiver support groups, this little book provides daily stories geared towards providing caregivers with a consistent source of inspiration. Whether in the form of joy, solace, or peace, these “daily comforts” provide validation for all the various emotions caregivers at all stages of the process face on a daily basis.
• Chicken Soup for the Family Caregivers’ Soul: 101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice, and Bonding – Multiple Authors including Joan Lunden and Amy Newmark: This familiar series offers a number of heart-warming and perspective-inducing stories from a variety of authors. Stories are applicable to all stages of the caregiving experience, and although most are from the perspective of the caregiver, this book is unique in that it features a few short entries from those receiving the care themselves.

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• A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Aging Parents and Ourselves – Jane Gross: From founder of the New Old Age Blog and New York Times Expert on aging Jane Gross comes this personal story about the journey many caregivers undergo when caring for aging parents.
• A Guide for Caregiving – Tina Merrell: This essential book is exactly what it sounds like – a complete guide to being a great caregiver. As a registered nurse, Tina Merrell has both the insight and the technical knowledge to provide advice on nearly every aspect of caring for your loved one.
• As Nora Jo Fades Away: Confessions of a Caregiver – Lisa Cerasoli: The challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s are beautifully balanced with the humor that also accompanies it in this moving memoir about Cerasoli caring for her dearly loved grandmother. In fact, Cerasoli offers a free digital download if you find her on Facebook.

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• No Saints Around Here: A Caregiver’s Days – Susan Allen Toth: This memoir by writer Susan Allen Toth recounts her days as a caregiver for her husband as he progresses through the stages of Parkinson’s and eventually into dementia. Writing a journal of her experiences provides Toth with therapy of sorts, as she begins to realize that for many caregivers, what they truly need is to feel heard.

Have you read a caregiving book that didn’t make our list? Share it with us so it can help others.

For more resources, caregiving questions, or information about Arista’s services, view our blog or reach out online today.

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