THE CAREGIVER’S SURVIVAL HANDBOOK:
How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself

By Alexis Abramson
with Mary Anne Dunkin

The death of former President Ronald Reagan has again brought the issue of caregiving to the attention of an aging American public.  His devoted wife, Nancy Reagan, was his caregiver for over ten years as Reagan succumbed to the debilitating affects of Alzheimer’s. Other famous caregivers—including Leeza Gibbons, Dana Reeve (wife of Christopher Reeve), and Rosalynn Carter—have spoken out in recent years about the difficulties associated with caregiving.  With more than 45 million Americans over the age of 60, this issue will affect everyone at some point—particularly women of the baby boom generation.

Alexis Abramson is one of America’s leading experts on aging and an impassioned champion for the dignity and independence of the mature set (read more). Now, in her new book, THE CAREGIVER’S SURVIVAL HANDBOOK: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself, Abramson helps caregivers navigate the most persistent and challenging problems they face each day.  She addresses their practical and emotional needs, while reassuring them that it’s okay to care for themselves while attending to their families. 

72 percent of caregivers are women caught between the needs of their young families and the daunting task of caring for their elderly relatives. These “invisible women” feel overwhelmed, underappreciated, and guilty for not being able to “do it all.”  They are part of a “sandwich generation” of 22 million caregivers in this country, 16 million of which are women. They feel a pressure to be all things to all people, often ending up as the martyr and giving themselves the short end of the stick. Abramson argues that this attitude is a recipe for disaster; the caregiver as an individual, must not lose her place in the world and allow her passions to be ignored. 

Watching a loved one grow old is fraught with emotional upheaval, and when you compound that with other stresses—rush-hour traffic, deadlines, sick children, dirty laundry—caregivers are often left holding the bag. Abramson wants caregivers to know that they are not alone. Her book offers solace and answers as she addresses seven major questions that a caregiver must face:

• How can I juggle my various responsibilities?
• Why do I feel so guilty?
• How can I get family members to help? (read an excerpt)
• How can I avoid butting heads with my parent?
• How can I foster my parent’s independence?
• How can I cope with caregiving and a career?
• Will I ever get my life back?

THE CAREGIVER'S SURVIVAL HANDBOOK is a resource with unique survival tips and advice on how to take back your life while building relationships with your loved ones that are more rewarding and enjoyable. It teaches caregivers to stand up and take their lives back while successfully doing their very best as a caregiver to those who need them.

RELATED LINKS

• Read excerpts from the book, in Caregiving Tips.
• Read reviews of the book in the Press Room.
• Or, you can purchase the book right now.