Synopses & Reviews
"The Caregiving Trap" combines the authentic life and professional experience of Pamela D. Wilson, who provides recommendations for overwhelmed and frustrated caregivers who themselves may one day need care. "The Caregiving Trap" includes stories about Pamela's actual personal and professional experience along with end of chapter exercises to support caregivers.
Common caregiving issues include:
A sense of duty and obligation to provide care that damages family relationships
Emotional and financial challenges resulting in denial of care needs
Ignorance of predictive events that result in situations of crises or harm
Delayed decision making and lack of planning resulting in limited choices
Minimum standards of care supporting the need for advocacy
Review
A very objective, informative and heart-warming guide for adult children who find themselves caring for aging parent, many think, simply because they are the daughter or son, they know what is best for their parent and then feel guilty because they are overwhelmed by the task. Too often I have heard, "I think we made a mistake in our decision." Reading the experiences of this author will give confidence to the reader that the solutions offered are not only professional and objective, but equally as important, they are from the heart. --- Astrid Tertel, caregiver
Today is the time to make connections with our parents before time passes. Time also for the conversation of care, years before care is needed." Pamela Wilson asks the reader to appreciate the fragility of life by valuing our relationships, and to take a proactive stance by realizing that how we live now will shape the future as we age. She offers a toolbox of strategies to help the caregiver move forward with foresight, knowledge, and skills to plan for the future. ---Tina Wells, MA, Alzheimer's Association Colorado
Pamela Wilson has provided us with an information-rich, enormously detailed and practical, very deeply personal, and even fearless exploration and understanding of the all-too-often simply overwhelming care-giving process. It will be a book---like her practice phone number---that I keep within close reach in my own office, and imagine sharing with patients and their families for years to come. ---Jay Schneiders, PhD., ABPP, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Health Psychologist
There is a phrase from Pamela Wilson's new book "The Caregiving Trap" that says it all: "Logic is absent from many caregiving situations as emotions take over the driver's seat." Being a nurse who has been a caregiver for over 40 years, I wish I had found Pamela's book much earlier in my life. Caring for elders is a special skill. Over the last 15 years while caring for my own aging parents, I have encountered absolutely wonderful, patient souls who clearly have a gift with this population. But the trick for the rest of us is to listen to these knowledgeable folks. Pamela is an expert who has provided heartfelt, concrete advice to guide others through this challenging process. ---Patricia A. Herlily, Ph.D., R.N., Rocky Mountain Research
No one is more experienced or knowledgeable in helping caregivers and care recipients than Pamela Wilson. Pamela is an educator and a professional caregiver. She knows what works and her advice is more than theory, it has been tested in practical application. ---John J. Horan, CMSP/CFSP, Horan and McConaty
This book is a must read not only for any health professional interacting with the elderly and disabled individuals but also for any adult who could possibly find themselves in a care giving situation or the recipient of caregiving now or in the future. Pamela's personal and professional experience, along with extensive research, offers a compassionate, perceptive and detailed resource. Familiar scenarios, probing questions, and realistic options are presented, all with the end goal of better quality of life for both the recipient of care and the caregiver. ---Linda Warwick, RN Hospice and Alternative Therapy Practitioner
Synopsis
Authentic life experiences, practical information and suggestions for caregivers. Suggestions and ideas to reduce the emotional overwhelm resulting from situations of care. Insight and solutions to complex care and caregiving situations. End of chapter exercises and access to online support.
About the Author
Pamela D. Wilson CSA, MS, BS/BA,CG an expert in the field of caregiving has personally helped thousands of family and professional caregivers since 2000 in her career as an advocate, a care navigator and a caregiving educator. Pamela's career experience has a professional and personal foundation with the loss of both parents, a sister and a brother before the age of forty. Pamela produced and hosted a weekly radio program, The Caring Generation, from 2009-2011 on 630 KHOW-AM Radio in Denver and this program is the foundation for her book and the educational website in her name.
Table of Contents
PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS
Chapter 1: Discovery of Life in a Cardboard Box
Chapter 2: Removing the Rose-Colored Glasses
Chapter 3: Sticker Shock---Who Really Pays?
Chapter 4: The Oreo Cookie---Stuck In the Middle
PART TWO: THE FAST MOVING TRAIN
Chapter 5: The Starry-Eyed Caregiver
Chapter 6: Family Ties
Chapter 7: The Next Chapter
Chapter 8: Self Preservation
PART THREE: DANGER AHEAD---THE UNEXPECTED
Chapter 9: Managing the Unpredictable and the Unexpected
Chapter 10: The Tip of the Iceberg
Chapter 11: The Pleasantly Forgetful
PART FOUR: CLOSURE
Chapter 12: Dying Changes Everything