THE CAREGIVER'S HANDBOOK

Assisting Both the Caregiver and the Elderly Carereceiver

Welcome Modern Maturity readers!
Modern Maturity is a national magazine published by the AARP
(Referenced on page 75 of the May-June 1997 issue of Modern Maturity)

This 9-part online posting of the The Caregiver's Handbook is made with permission from The Caregiver Education and Support Services, Seniors Counseling and Training, Case Management Services of the San Diego County Mental Health Services, 1250 Moreno Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110.

Formatted and posted to the World Wide Web by Robert S. Stall, M.D.

Questions concerning the Handbook's content may be referred to the San Diego County Mental Health Services (address above)
or send E-mail to Dr. Stall at
drstall@acsu.buffalo.edu.

Dr. Stall's Home Page--Dedicated to Geriatric and Hospice Care
contains additional information about principles of geriatric & hospice care and information about how to subscribe to geriatric and hospice care on-line discussion groups. Dr. Stall is a geriatrician (a physician who specializes in older adults) living in the Buffalo, NY area.

Table of Contents

Part 1

Credits and Permissions/Acknowledgments/Forward

Part 2

Introduction
You, the Caregiver, Are Very Important!/Checklist For the Carereceiver/Checklist For the Caregiver

Common Problems in Caregiving
List of Needs

Types of Help Available
When Community Agency Help Is Needed/Services Available to Impaired Elderly

Part 3

Caring for the Caregiver
Caregiver's Self-rating Scale/What Can I Do to Help Myself?/Caregiver's Stress Test/Seek Information/Join a Caregiver Support Group/Set Realistic Goals/Practice Good Communication Skills/Communicate with Your Family and Friends/Use Community Resources/Use Respite Care Services/Maintain Your Health/Relaxation Exercise/Laughter Is the Best Medicine/Avoid Destructive Behavior/Seek Help/Build Your Self-Esteem/Caregiver's Bill of Rights

Part 4

Personal Care
Personal Care Activities/Toileting/Assisting With Eating/Transferring/Rest and Sleep/Tips For Encouraging Self-Care

Part 5

Nutrition
Nutrients On Food Labels and Their Function/Adapting Meals for People With Dietary Restrictions/The Four Basic Food Groups/Common Problems Interfering With Good Nutrition/General Tips for Helping the Older Person to Eat Well

Part 6

Medical Aspects of Caregiving
Overview/Keeping Records and Managing Medications/Current Medications List/Daily Medication Set-Up/Choosing A Doctor/Planning For Emergencies

Part 7

Emotional and Intellectual Well-Being
Depression: Signs and Causes/Suicide Prevention/Promoting Emotional Well-Being/The Importance of Lifetime Learning/Memory Problems/Sensory Problems/Confusion/Behavioral Problems/Mental Stimulation

Part 8

Legal and Financial Affairs
Compiling an Inventory/Managing a Will and Financial Affairs/Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care/Lantern-Petris-Short Conservatorship (California only)/Selecting an Attorney

Liability of Caregiving
When is it Time to Stop Caregiving?

Choosing a Residential Care Facility

Conclusion

Part 9

Appendix A--Examples of Caregiver Resources

Appendix B--Additional Reading