The time may come when we are called upon to assume responsibility for the welfare of our elders. When traditional roles are reversed, the Downers Grove Public Library has resources to help us help those we love.

Practical Matters
362.14 DEG
Caregivers and Personal Assistants: How to Find, Hire and Manage the People Who Help You (or Your Loved One!) by Alfred H. DeGraff2002

362.6 BEE
Eldercare 911: The Caregiver’s Complete Handbook for Making Decisions by Susan Beerman2002

Share the Care: How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who Is Seriously Ill by Cappy Capossela2004

362.6 FOC
Focus on the Family Complete Guide to Caring for Aging Loved Ones2002
Addresses the spiritual aspects of caregiving.

362.6 LOV
The Complete Eldercare Planner: Where to Start, Which Questions to Ask, and How to Find Help by Joy Loverde2002

362.61 HEN
The Eldercare Handbook: Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions by Stella Mora Henry2006

610 LYN
When the Man You Love Is Ill: Doing Your Best for Your Partner without Losing Yourself by Dorree Lynn2007

610.7365 AND
And Thou Shalt Honor: The Caregiver’s Companion2002
In addition to discussing practical concerns, other caregivers share their experiences and offer support.

610.7365 MEY
The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Home Caregivers by Maria M. Meyer2007
An easy-to-read guide to home health care, this book offers practical advice for every aspect of daily care with helpful lists and resources for locating additional help.

615.822 NEL
From the Heart through the Hands: The Power of Touch in Caregiving by Dawn Nelson2001

618.976 AME
American Medical Association Guide to Home Caregiving2001

Special Situations
362.196 SIL
Brain, Heal Thyself: A Caregiver’s New Approach to Recovery from Stroke, Aneurysm, and Traumatic Brain Injuries by Madonna Siles2006

616.81 MEY
The Comfort of Home for Stroke: A Guide for Caregivers by Maria M. Meyer2007

616.831 VOI
Voices of Alzheimer’s: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength2007

618.976 CAR
A Caregiver’s Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier by Patricia R. Callone2006

618.976 DIF
A Different Visit: Activities for Caregivers and Their Loved One with Memory Impairments2005

616.994 CAR
Caregiving: A Step-by-Step Resource for Caring for the Person with Cancer at Home2003

616.994 ROS
Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Supportive Care: A Comprehensive Hand-book for Patients and Their Families by Ernest H. Rosenbaum2005

618.976 FEI
The Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with Alzheimer’s-Type Dementia by Naomi Feil2002

618.976 KNI
Alzheimer Solutions: A Personal Guide for Caregivers by Jim Knittweis2002
Practical help with specific activities of daily living and common medical problems. Includes several chapters on support for the caregiver.

618.976 SHI
New Hope for People with Alzheimer’s and Their Caregivers by Porter Shimer2002

618.976 TEI
The Handholder’s Handbook: A Guide to Caregivers of People with Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias by Rosette Teitel2001

618.976 WHE
When Your Loved One Has Dementia: A Simple Guide for Caregivers2005

Living Arrangements
362.61 CON
Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: Your Practical Guide for Making the Right Decision by Linda H. Connell2004

362.16 DIC
Living Well in a Nursing Home: Everything You and Your Folks Need to Know by Lynn Dickinson2006

362.16 DIG
Everything You Need to Know about Nursing Homes: The Family’s Comprehensive Guide to Either Working with the Institution or Finding Care Alternatives by Charlotte Digregorio2005

362.16 MAT
Choose the Right Long-Term Care: Home Care, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes by Joseph L. Matthews2002

362.16 NUR
Nursing Homes: Getting Good Care There2002

Caregiver Support
158.12 CHI
Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul: Stories to Inspire Caregivers in the Home, the Community and the World2004

362.6 BER
Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents: How to Help, How to Survive by Claire Berman2006

363.6 JAC
The Emotional Survival Guide for Caregivers: Looking After Yourself and Your Family While Helping an Aging Parent by Barry J. Jacobs2006

610.7365 ABR
The Caregiver’s Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent without Losing Yourself by Alexis Abramson2004

Helpful Web Sites
Chicago Senior Resources Guide.com
“This is a comprehensive guide to senior housing, health at home, professional services, care management and community resources in the Chicago area.”

Consumer Reports.org Nursing Home Quality Monitor for Illinois
Offers a chart with recommendations of homes to avoid or consider.

Family Caregiving 101
“A great place to find assistance, answers, new ideas and helpful advice.”

Family Caregiver Alliance
Based in San Francisco, this site offers news, information and support for family caregivers. It includes online support groups and answers caregiving questions.

Metropolitan Family Services Respite Care

National Center for Assisted Living
A consumer site with information and advice on choosing an assisted living facility. It includes ratings of facilities and a list of the top 30 assisted living chains.

Government Agency Web Sites
Dupage County Human Services

Illinois Department on Aging
A clearinghouse for senior help in Illinois and prescription assistance for qualifying seniors.

Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
Includes a list of links to many helpful site for the caregiver.

Nursing Home Compare
This site is sponsored by Medicare. It provides “detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.” It includes a guide to choosing a nursing home and checklist for evaluation.

Prepared by Martha Krause, October 2007