"What about me." A Guide for caring

Peace of mind; a forlorn hope or a destination?

The Guide provides insight into managing the challenges of caring for a person with a disability; it is a practical approach for parents to better manage the demands of lifelong care. Personal and family struggles need to be managed; if struggles become manageable, parents can focus on making beneficial changes for all their family and lifelong care support arrangements. The support is described in the Guide as 'FamilyCare' involving: personal care, long-term care accommodation, safeguards and independence. Care support arrangements may take years and heartache to arrange but in the end, parents usually reach peace of mind.

The publication has been written from a parent’s perspective; it shows that through greater understanding, parents will be able to better manage the demands of lifelong care, as well as running a family. It is practical, thought provoking, confronting and offers considerations and suggestions in the hope that families may benefit from the 'hard won' experiences of other parents and siblings. The Guide may shake some parents into taking steps towards improving their family circumstances. For many parents, lifelong care can be a tough, demanding and stressful time - when parents need to provide answers or face the likelihood of family dysfunction or breakdown. Unless parents make effective changes, it is likely their family will not manage the stressful demands of providing lifelong care as well as living a family and working life.

Contact us if you are interested in purchasing a copy of “What about me…” A guide for caring.

Contents

About the guide provides an overview and how to use the guide
Who really cares? The answer involves parents, siblings, carers and professionals
Being just a parent is not enough: crisis, acceptance, coping, information, exclusion, care accommodation, respite care, brothers and sisters and stress are some of the challenges
Wise parent planning: a time of change, making change happen, 'FamilyCare' plan, the good life, rights, choice, friendship, guardianship, advocacy and conflict of interest
FamilyCare: 'Strong' parent, personal care, the person, power and influence, inclusion, value, good caring, role models, long-term care accommodation, safeguards and independence
Peace of mind: positive outcomes and serendipity

ISBN 9781863551229
Pages 264, $29.95
David Lovell Publishing Pty Ltd
www.davidlovellpublishing.com