In her typical, straight-talking yet comforting and humorous style, geriatrician and family caregiver, Dr. Cheryl Woodson, explores specific questions caregivers asked in her geriatrics practice and at national presentations over her almost 40-year career. Dr. Cheryl believed these topics were beyond the scope of her popular eldercare resource, TO SURVIVE CAREGIVING: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice- 2nd ed. She wrote the Doctor is IN as a companion book to give caregivers in-depth discussions of several painful challenges. Topics include how to:
Recognize and decrease the physical and emotional impact of stress. Balance the needs of your seniors and your marriage, children, job, finances, and your joy. Review options when a senior can no longer be indepenent and decide whether you and your senior should share a residence. Cope with grief and co-dependency during caregiving and prepare for life after caregiving. Discuss the option of using a nursing home when you promised, Never and how to remain a strong caregiving advocate if you must make that painful decision.
Other chapters dispel myths about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, teach families to recognize the risks of elder abuse and neglect, and make changes before a tragedy occurs. The chapter, Prepare to Care, encourages Millenials, Gen-Xers and anyone else who fears future caregiving. This chapter also offers strategies for making our adult children’s lives easier when we need care. Another chapter shares wisdom from the Care Warriors, experienced caregivers who successfully navigated the path between excellent eldercare and necessary self-care. An expecially poignant chapter, Another Kind of Widow, supports people whose spouses have dementia.
With her unique perspective as doctor and daughter and with support from the Care Warriors, Dr. Cheryl validates your worries, while offering practical options, and clear decision-making processes to overcome those worries. This information and support guides you to give excellent eldercare while taking good care of yourself.
