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We Will All Be Caregivers
A Caregiver’s Love Story and Reference Guide is your memoir about not only caring for your dying husband but the life you had together. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I thought it was important to tell the reader what life as a caregiver was like. At some point in our lives, we will all be caregivers of some sort. My story is not unlike others, but I write things down so I can get it out of my head, and that way I can slow down and still be a loving wife instead of fussing about what I had to do to keep things running smoothly for Bill’s care. My writing, I hope will help others get through the experience of caring for someone and also losing them in the end.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
A lot of it was very sad to write, but not hard. and the final diagnosis and time frame given by the doctor for Bill’s life was breathtaking to say the least. We always knew that I would outlive him, but when the medical team tells you your loved has only a given amount of time to live, it takes on new meaning. Bill was given 2 to 4 years to live and passed away after 3 years.
I didn’t shed a tear while writing this book, but if I try and read a chapter out loud, I just can’t do it without sobbing. Bill passed away a month ago and now the reality of his illness and dying have come home. The busyness of caring for him made the days go by so fast that time just slipped away.
Grief is supposed to be the purest form of love. It hurts! Your heart hurts so bad you wonder how it continues to beat. One must learn to live with it and continue their life as well. It is part of growing older and I wanted people to know all we went through to keep Bill alive for as long as possible, so they know if they are going through the same thing that the feelings they are experiencing are normal. It was the most loving thing I could do for Bill.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Caring for yourself as well as your loved one is essential in surviving the daily work of living life to the fullest while caring for someone. The day-to-day work of cooking, cleaning, shopping and being a caregiver can take over your very existence. You are in charge of your life as well as your loved one and both of you need equal care and love.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Caregiving will be the hardest job you will ever have. Everything you need to know is in your heart. You just need to look there for the answers. Loving and caring for someone go hand in hand. Keeping the scrapbook of your lives together in your heart will sustain you through the very difficult end to your loved one’s life.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
A Caregiver’s Love Story and Reference Guide is a book of stories about several medical diagnoses, hospitalizations and coping with a loved one’s terminal illness, not only for the patient but the caregiver. You’ll find chapters on having oxygen in the home, obtaining Power of Attorney, anticipatory grief, hiring and firing help, when to call an ambulance and avoiding caregiver burnout, along with stories of life as a caregiver.
Each chapter has a lesson – a reward, or something to think about as you read through the stories. Handled with humor and sensitivity, caring for a loved one can become less of a burden. Not only will it be the hardest job you have ever had, it will also be the most fulfilling.
CARE GIVING GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Author David Soh Poh Huat teaches us that caregiving is a gracious gift. It is notable, a calling, and a gift that is sometimes overlooked. In his book Caregiving Gift of Unconditional Love, David Soh Poh Huat extensively writes about caregiving. However, he primarily focuses on the qualities of a good caregiver and the impact caregivers have on families and the larger community.
Readers will learn through this book why it is important to spread love and positive energy to those who offer caregiving services and the elders and sick in need of caregiving. This book discusses the different angles of caregiving on an intimate level. Gently, the author invites the reader into his world, a world that will make the reader appreciate caregivers more.
David Soh Poh Huat warmly talks about his family, especially his father, Thomas, and sister, Susan. In his book, readers learn about having a close-knit family. Through the author’s story, the reader is shown the raw and explicit facts about caregiving. The author explains that sometimes it can be overwhelming, but it is a fulfilling experience. This well-thought-out book is a guidebook on how to take care of loved ones.
The book takes one on a rollercoaster of emotions. Readers can resonate with what he discusses and even bond with him through his text. For example, when talking about his sister, one can feel his words’ love, tenderness, and empathy. I enjoyed reading about David and his relationship with his sister, as one gets to learn that sibling love conquers everything.
Reading about Thomas was amazing too. Through David and his father, readers get enlightened about the essence of having a patriarch and the rewards of being part of a loving family. The primary lesson in this book is to be kind and accommodating to all. If you can offer caregiving services, do so without expecting anything. There is something beautiful about giving back to others through caregiving.
The cordial language applied by the author, his truthfulness, and how to open David Soh Poh Huat when showing his vulnerable side is appealing. I love how short the chapters are and how easy it is to complete the book in one sitting. Every page has some wisdom to appreciate.
Caregiving Gift of Unconditional Love is an educational book about caregiving, and what makes this book a great read is the author’s display of compassion. David is genuine with his readers and writes his reality. His story is uplifting, and his writing style reassuring.
Pages: 62 | ASIN : B09CTQYWKS
No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season
![No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season by [Rayna Neises]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dSFWmYZxL.jpg)
Caregiving is a selfless act that not many understand. In her book No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season author Rayna Neises writes about caregiving and taking care of parents in old age. Aging and growing old are inevitable and children often find themselves as the primary caregivers to their parents when they age. Rayna Neises addresses all children that are taking care of their parents, giving practical tips on how to be a great caregiver and how to handle different situations while caregiving.
No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season has two main parts, one focusing on caring for others and the other focusing on caring for yourself. One of the main lessons I got from reading both parts is that for you to take proper care of others, you have to be well yourself. Take care of your physical health, take care of your mental health, and protect the energies you love and move away from negative energies.
As you read this enlightening book you realize that caregiving requires both emotional intelligence and compassion. The book teaches that as a caregiver, you should put the other person first and get to understand where they come from. The information and advice delivered among the heartfelt stories will help readers learn to be compassionate and be more appreciative.
One thing that kept me going as I read is how personal the author made the stories feel. Rayna Neises shows a personal side that readers immediately fall in love with when reading her book. The author does not hide her intimate moments nor is she shy to share how she feels about caregiving and what her experience has been. Readers will connect with and appreciate Rayna Neises for sharing deep moments of her life. All of this serves to connect the reader with the author so that the pragmatic advice she shares feels workable.
The thought-provoking stories that are shared throughout the book made the reading experience enjoyable as a mini-memoir. This book is much more engaging than a regular ‘how-to’ book on caregiving. If you are new to caregiving, then this book is for you. The topics that are covered in the book will be very helpful to readers that are not well versed with the subject of caregiving. There is a wealth of knowledge shared in the book, including keeping the family intact, navigating balance, working as a team, dealing with obstacles and how to overcome barriers, when to ask for help and understanding everyone’s needs. This is a fantastic resources for caregivers and will surely improve the lives of many.
Pages: 205 | ASIN: B08TQL81HW
