The Eldercare 911 Question and Answer Book.

The Eldercare 911 Question and Answer Book Beerman S, Rappaport-Musson J. Amherst, NY 14228, Prometheus Books, 2005, paperback, 304 pp, illus, ISBN: 1-59102-293-2, $20.

This book is a sequel to the authors' first book, Eldercare 911: The Caregiver's Complete Handbook for Making Decisions (which was reviewed in the August 2003 issue of Physical Therapy). The authors state that this sequel was written at the request of caregivers who experienced problems that the first book did not address. The book is divided into 13 chapters: "The Positive and Negative Impact of Caregiving," "Saying No to Toxic People," "The Rules of Intervention," "For Women Only," "For Men Only," "Family Matters," "Life as a Working Caregiver," "Living With Alzheimer's Disease," "Breaking Away From Burnout," "Lessons in Feeling Good About Yourself," "Life After Caregiving," and "Words of Hope and Comfort." Each chapter is subdivided into 3 to 4 topics. There is a resources chapter as well as a glossary of eldercare terms.

The book's format is uncommon in the field of health care, but it is very effective. The authors collected and categorized questions, problems, and concerns from caregivers throughout the United States. The caregiver letters are printed with the authors' responses, which are skilled, thoughtful, and interesting. The responses always are worded to give the caregivers sincere, positive feedback and useful suggestions.

For example, a caregiver wrote that she was totally exhausted taking care of her 89-year-old father who was child-like and needy after her mother died. The authors respond by reassuring her that caregivers face this battle day after day and that it is not necessary to win every battle. They suggest that she have a conversation with the father to: (a) remind him how important it is to continue to do things in order to keep up his physical and mental health, (b) approach him about how she is feeling and try to get a commitment from him to do some tasks, and, if he refuses, (c) have a second conversation with him offering to hire a companion to help him out with some of his tasks. The authors further suggest to the caretaker: "To remain emotionally and physically healthy, you must give yourself credit for all your accomplishments, big and small."

Although this book is geared specifically for people who take care of elderly people in our society, the advice given in the authors' responses is global. It is very insightful and would be extremely useful for anyone dealing with elderly individuals who are unable to care for themselves. Physical therapists might find this book especially useful when responding to patients, family, or caregivers.

Roslyn Sofer PT, OCS 

Touro College

Bay Shore, NY

Sofer is Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program. She also is Director of Community Physical Therapy in Queens, NY.