Recommended Readings

Here are some reading materials that we have found particularly informative, useful or compelling. We have provided links to the large online book vendors for your convenience, although most of these books will be available from your local library.

  Books

When Parents Hurt: Compassionate Strategies When You and Your Grown Child Don't Get Along byJoshua Coleman

A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care, A Guide for Family Caregivers; by Virginia Bell, David Troxel

Elder Rage or, Take My Father... Please! How To Survive Caring For Aging Parents; by Jacqueline Marcell, Rodman Shankle

Dancing with Rose: Finding Life in the Land of Alzheimer's; by Lauren Kessler

36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for Persons with Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementing Illnesses, and Memory Loss in Later Life; by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins

The Eldercare Handbook: Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions; by Stella Henry, Ann Convery

When Your Parents Need Elder Care: Lessons From The Front Lines; By Laurie Orlov

How to Enjoy Your Retirement: Activities from A to Z (Second Edition); by Tricia Wagner, Barbara Day

The Cultures of Caregiving: Conflict and Common Ground among Families, Health Professionals, and Policy Makers; by Carol Levine (Editor), Thomas H. Murray (Editor)

Fallproof!: A Comprehensive Balance and Mobility Training Program; by Debra J. Rose

Eldercare for Dummies; by Rachelle Zukerman

Eldercare 911: The Caregiver's Complete Handbook for Making Decisions; by Susan Beerman, Judith Rappaport-Musson

Eldercare 911 Question and Answer Book; by Susan Beerman, Judith Rappaport-Musson

Nurturing the Family: The Guide for Postpartum Doulas; by Jacqueline Kelleher

Home Care Nursing Practice: Concepts and Application; by Robyn Rice

  Other Worthwhile Resources

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader Software Get the information you want now. Download informational brochures via PDF. This requires Adobe Acrobat Reader® software.

Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire

This is a brief assessment developed by the American Medical Association, to help a caregiver identify whether she/he is under excessive distress from the caregiving situation.
Download PDF »

New Jersey Consumer’s Guide to Homemakers-Home Health Aides
This is a State publication providing an overview of the role, requirements, and other important information concerning the Certified Home Health Aide in New Jersey.
Download PDF »

A Pocket Guide to Caregiver Resources in New Jersey
A directory of most of the important federal, state and local resource phone numbers for caregivers and the people for whom they care.
Download PDF »

The Top Ten Things Caregivers Don’t Want to Hear…and a Few Things They Do!
A caregiver’s summary of the thoughtless, careless and even painful things people can often say to the primary caregiver. Written by Carol Levine, director of the Families and Health Care Project at the United Hospital Fund in New York City.
View the Article Here »

Kaiser Family Foundation 
The link below discusses the costs of health care in the U.S.
The Burden of Medical Debt in the U.S.

Advance Directives
Advance Directives, also known as Living Wills, enable you to ensure your wishes as to medical care in the event you are unable to convey those for some reason. Regardless of age or current medical condition it’s a good idea to have one in place. They are relatively simple documents as long as you comply with the format required.

Here’s a site that might help.
New Jersey Advance Directives

Medicare and You
Talking About Medicare and Health Coverage
Medicare and You Booklet »