Eldercare 911: The Caregiver's Complete Handbook for Making Decisions.

Beerman S, Rappaport-Musson J. Amherst, NY 14228-2197, Prometheus Books, 2002, paperback, 486 pp, ISBN: 1-59102-014-X, $24.

"You are not alone." This is the book's opening sentence, and its point is emphasized strongly throughout the book. The book provides valuable information on topics related to caring for an elderly family member. Many brief quotes from women who have been or are primary caregivers are included throughout the text. The reader is thus exposed to a range of experiences (and often the caregivers' intimate, real-life feelings) related to every topic addressed. The combination of the voices of these caregivers and the information and advice that the book contains effectively provides exactly what the authors intend: "recognition, support, and guidance for [caregivers'] special needs, [their] deepest feelings, and [their] unique relationships with [their] loved ones."

Eldercare 911 addresses many aspects of caring for an elderly relative. A detailed table of contents and an extensive index are included. Several worksheets--including "Finding Help and Support Worksheet" (p151) and "Tips for Overseeing Medications Worksheet" (p212)--are provided, where appropriate. The layout and organization are clear, and the writing is concise and direct. Each topic is approached from a positive but realistic point of view. Multiple approaches to situations and various, sometimes conflicting, feelings and opinions are included.

Chapters that would be most pertinent at the beginning of a caregiver's involvement include: "The Pros and Cons of Being a Caregiver," "Knowing When Your Parents Need Help," "Intervention: When? What? How?," "Caregiving Realities," "Long-Distance Caregiving," and "Finding and Using Help and Services." These topics are addressed comprehensively, and information is presented without an evident bias toward any particular side of an issue.

Longer term caregiving and caring for a parent with increasingly serious problems are addressed in: "Handling Burnout," "Managing Medical Issues," "Overseeing Medications," "Managing Benefits and Insurance," "Dealing With Serious Illness," "Coping With Alzheimer's Disease," and "When Hospitalization Is Necessary." Although it is clearly stated that this book is not intended as a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice, accurate and specific information is provided on common medical problems and responses as well as on strategies to minimize risk in the home setting. The chapter on managing benefits includes specific coverage information for Medicare and all its variations, Medicaid, Social Security, and Veterans Administration benefits.

Potential problems that may be encountered and alternative housing arrangements are dealt with in "Detecting and Dealing With Elder Abuse," "How to Hire a Homecare Worker," "Making Decisions About Housing: When? What? How?," and "Evaluating the Move to a Nursing Home." The chapter "Death and Dying" addresses not only grief and mourning, but also topics such as helping your parent cope with his or her feelings before death, the specifics of making funeral arrangements, and the conflicting emotions that might be felt by a caregiver upon his or her parent's death.

The chapter "Caregiver Organizations and Resources" contains Internet addresses, mailing addresses, and phone numbers for 36 organizations that provide information or assistance to people caring for the elderly. These organizations range from those related to a specific disorder to those that provide medical and research trial information, funeral assistance, or benefits information.

Physical therapists frequently interact with both the elderly and their caregivers and often are the first to recognize that additional information and emotional support are needed. This book can supplement a physical therapist's provision of information and support, or it can stand alone. If the book is provided as waiting room reading, a reader could get value from even a short read, but I would not hesitate to recommend that it be purchased by, or provided to, those caring for elderly relatives, because it could be a valuable asset at many points within the caregiving relationship.

Andi Beth Mincer, PT

Armstrong Atlantic State University 

Savannah, Ga

Ms Mincer teaches various topics within a physical therapist professional education program, and her clinical experience includes acute care, home care, and inpatient rehabilitation.