With a warm, empathetic tone, home care consultant Blight guides readers down the often-rocky path of caring for a disabled, aging, or dying relative or friend—a road he walked personally after his mother-in-law was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Blight and his wife, Jessica, cared for Jessica’s ailing mother until her death, and then Blight founded his own home care business. In 18 concise chapters, Blight describes how caregiving can gradually take over someone’s life, and he pulls no punches about the increasing emotional turmoil of each increase in responsibility. He views this process as having two possible, equally legitimate outcomes: turning over care to professional caregivers, or “internally resolv[ing] the role identity conflict” that occurs when caregiving occupies the central place in one’s life that used to go to being a spouse, parent, or professional.Blight wisely takes into account a wide range of family dynamics, including caring for an estranged parent. He also discusses the safety of long-term care facilities in the Covid-19 era. Blight discusses how to balance work, siblings, spouses, and more, and he doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable issues. In fact, he facilitates such discussions by ending each chapter with open-ended questions. Throughout the book, he counsels readers to explore options and make their own decision.
Blight knows from experience that caregiving often feels overwhelming, and he’s careful to support, encourage, and empower fellow travelers. His repeated reassurance that it’s absolutely fine to hire caregivers or place a loved one in a care facility will soothe those who have been criticized for considering those options. He also points out that being supportively present at the end of another person’s life can bring profound gifts of learning and enlightenment. This outstanding guide will be a lifesaver for anyone saddled with these immense responsibilities and seeking peace of mind.
Takeaway: Members of the “sandwich generation” and others serving as caregivers for loved ones will benefit greatly from this empathetic and informative guide.
Great for fans of Jane Gross’s A Bittersweet Season, Alexis Abramson’s The Caregiver's Survival Handbook, Linda Abbit’s The Conscious Caregiver.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: -
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
