Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal - Hardcover

McLeod, Beth Witrogen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471254088 ISBN 13: 9780471254089

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1999

Synopsis

Helping your family and loved ones when they need you most " Caregiving has a big heart–on a much–needed topic. A rare book of spiritual and practical wisdom." — Sue Bender , author of Plain and Simple and Everyday Sacred "A poignant, wise, and in–the–trenches view of caregiving that is both practical and spiritual, especially of value to midlife adults." — Jean Shinoda Bolen , M.D., author of Goddesses in Everywoman and Close to the Bone "Lovely. . . . Beth McLeod′s experience and wisdom shine through as she shares her heartfelt journey of loss, surrender, hope, and healing." — David Simon , M.D. medical director, the Chopra Center for Well Being, author of Vital Energy and Return to Wholeness Sooner or later it will touch us all: A family member or loved one becomes ill or disabled, and we step in to help. This is caregiving, and in this powerful, unique book, prizewinning writer and advocate Beth Witrogen McLeod leads us through the caregiving journey with unflinching authority and compassion. Framed by the author′s personal odyssey as a caregiver and richly informed by the inspiring and poignant tales of others, Caregiving explores medical and financial problems, all aspects of spirituality, and such issues as depression, stress, housing, home care, and end–of–life concerns. A rare blend of powerful storytelling and practical information, Caregiving is a revelation.

About this title

From the Author:

Family caregiving can open our hearts to the grace in loss.
It wasn't until six months after my parents died -- five weeks apart and in a nursing home, nearly bankrupt from simultaneous catastrophic illnesses -- that I even heard the term "caregiver." During the two years that I flew back and forth between California and Kansas, all that I knew was that I had to do whatever it took to give my parents the dignity and love they deserved.

I don't know if I succeeded -- regret and guilt still sculpt my edges -- but I did do the best I could. I loved them unconditionally; I loved just being with them, knowing that despite the suffering and crises, this was precious time.

I came to understand that end-of-life issues are not pathological but a valid rite of passage, one not yet recognized in Western culture but very real nonetheless. And so I wanted to write a book to explore this time in a caregiver's life, a journey that I discovered to be very much a heroic one, much in the best mythologic and classical spiritual traditions.

I wanted, most of all, to help guide others through this heart of hell, where suffering and grace exist simultaneously. I wanted to present the tremendous compassion and kindness inherent in this strange journey that none of us would choose, yet one that millions of us have transited with wisdom and aplomb.

My hope is that CAREGIVING will prove inspirational and educational; my intent is that it be a guide to navigating the emotional and spiritual passage that underlies all the care given to our frail, disabled and dying loved ones.

Most of all, I propose that every act of kindness counts; it CAN be a way of life that ripples out from the individual into families, and from there into communities, nations and our planet. There is a chance, still, to counter the violence and rage that has shrouded the true nature of the human heart. There is still time to manifest the truth that all wisdom traditions teach: that the purpose of life is to give, and that it is in fact the ultimate path that leads out of suffering.

With gratitude to all people everywhere who give of themselves so that others may have life,

Beth Witrogen McLeod

From the Back Cover:

"By my old professor′s side, I learned the precious value of caregiving. I am grateful that Beth McLeod has put together a fine source to help bring out the helping heart in all of us." —Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie Sooner or later it will touch us all: A family member or loved one becomes ill or disabled, and we step in to help. This is caregiving, and in this powerful, unique book, prizewinning writer and advocate Beth Witrogen McLeod leads us through the caregiving journey with unflinching authority and compassion. Whether it involves caring for an aging parent, an ill spouse or partner, or a disabled child, caregiving takes us into a new reality quite unlike that of our usual workaday life. Too often, we don′t know where to find help or what questions to ask, and the health care system seems to get more complex every day. An indispensable guide for anyone who is or has been a caregiver or who anticipates becoming one, Caregiving includes advice from leaders in the fields of aging, medicine, finance, and spirituality. It explores medical and financial problems as well as such issues as depression, stress, housing, home care, and end–of–life concerns. The author also includes dozens of helpful resources at the back of the book. Framed by the author′s personal odyssey as a caregiver, Caregiving is richly informed by the inspiring and poignant tales of other caregivers. Caregiving shows that while at first we experience the dark night of the soul, through service to others we can discover our true nature and develop lovingkindness and compassion; through caregiving we can see the renewal of both self and community. Personal transformation has been witnessed in sacred traditions throughout human history, and in Caregiving Beth McLeod draws on the wisdom of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and shamanism, and on the writings of current and past spiritual figures, to illuminate the way. A rare blend of powerful storytelling and practical information, Caregiving is a revelation. "Caregiving has a big heart —on a much–needed topic. A rare book of spiritual and practical wisdom." —Sue Bender, author of Plain and Simple and Everyday Sacred "A poignant, wise, and in–the–trenches view of caregiving that is both practical and spiritual, especially of value to midlife adults." —Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., author of Goddesses in Everywoman and Close to the Bone "Lovely. . . . Beth McLeod′s experience and wisdom shine through as she shares her heartfelt journey of loss, surrender, hope, and healing." —David Simon, M.D., medical director, the Chopra Center for Well Being, author of Return to Wholeness and The Wisdom of Healing "Inspirational. . . .The author has ventured where there was no path and lit a beacon for all to follow." —Anne Bashkiroff, cofounder, Alzheimer′s Association and Family Caregiver Alliance "A wealth of knowledge and resources with the voice of experience and compassion. . . . This book is a true gift for professionals as well as loved ones." —David Kessler, author of The Rights of the Dying "When it comes to both the nightmares and the nobility of caregiving, Beth McLeod has been there. Her moving personal story pulls no punches. . . . We need to put this book on America′s required reading list." —Theodore Roszak, author of America the Wise and The True Wealth of Nations "McLeod eloquently shows us how our grieving builds our humanity. And she inspires parents, spouses, and adult children to carry on their mission to care with compassion, pride, and faith." —Lucy Jo Palladino, Ph.D., author of Dreamers, Discoverers, and Dynamos "Beth McLeod writes with the knowing heart of a caregiver and the pen of a poet. Her personal journey underlies the book′s truth, while the pain and spiritual growth she explores and documents so well will touch all readers." —Suzanne Mintz, president and cofounder National Family Caregivers Association "No book about the silent crisis of caring has been more deeply felt. . . . Beth McLeod′s wisdom comes from an unflinching look at the real–life experience of family care: how it makes us grow up often in spite of our wish to remain our parents′ children and how we may emerge from its spiritual tests strengthened down to our souls." —Paul Kleyman, editor, Aging Today, American Society on Aging

About this edition

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0471254088
• ISBN 13: 9780471254089
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264