Affirmations For Family Caregivers : Words of Comfort, Energy, & Hope
by Harriet Hodgson
BQB Publishing
WriteLife Publishing
ISBN 9781608081479
Description
Harriet Hodgson has cared for three generations of family members—her mother, husband, and twin grand-children. The affirmations in this book come from Harriet’s eighteen years of caregiving experience, with more years to come. In 2013 her husband’s aorta dissected and he had three emergency operations. Surgeons managed to save her husband’s life, but he suffered a spinal stroke during the last operation, and his legs are paralyzed. Hodgson is his caregiver and, when she needed a boost, she started writing affirmations. Once she started, Hodgson couldn’t stop writing them and a few dozen grew into the hundreds in this collection. “Affirmations are a form of self-care,” Hodgson explains. “Reading an affirmation in the morning can set the tone for your caregiving day.”
The author
Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance writer for 36+ years and is the author of 33 books. She has a BS from Wheelock College in Boston, MA and an MA from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN campus. Hodgson is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Association for Death Education and Counseling, and Minnesota Coalition for Death Education and Support. In addition, she is a Contributing Writer for the Open to hope Foundation website and The Grief Toolbox website. She has appeared on more than 170 talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. A popular speaker, she has given presentation at public health, Alzheimer’s, and bereavement conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’sWho of Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. Harriet lives in Rochester, Minnesota with her husband, John. Please visit www.harriethodgson.com for more information about this busy author and grandmother.
My review: [rating=4]
While I haven’t been a long term caregiver, I know many people, including Jose, who have been caregivers to a family member. I’ve seen how draining caregiving can be. When a family member relies on you completely to be there for them physically and emotionally it can be very challenging and draining. You lose sleep, you’re bone tired and that effects your behaviour.
The author has used her experiences to stress the importance of using affirmations to boost your spirit as a caregiver. The book has been organized by topic. For example, self-care, quiet time, responsibility, routine, etc.
Some sample affirmations:
Any one who takes care of someone knows that things don’t always go according to plan. An unexpected visitor. The ‘patient’ throwing a tantrum or taking a turn for the worse. It’s important to have a routine but also be creative. This affirms that.
I am not afraid to revise my task list when necessary. Creativity is an important part of each caregiving day.
Caregiving is a tough job. No doubt about that. But our first duty is to take care of ourselves. Jose has shared with me how when he looked after his mother, he made sure he went out every day and also asked people for help. So this affirmation made so much sense to me.
It’s amazing how a fifteen-minute walk helps me de-stree. Self-care is part of caregiving, and I take good care of myself.
This book will make a wonderful gift to a caregiver. And if you’re a caregiver consider getting the book for yourself.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Click here to buy Affirmations for Family Caregivers (Family Caregivers Series Book 2)
What good timing to read this. My elderly mother is going through a revolving series of health issues. Thank you for sharing. It may be just the thing our family needs.
Darla M Sands recently posted..The Versatile Blogger Award
AS always, your posts seem to resonate with incidents happening simultaneously in my own life. Reading them makes me feel motivated and inspired. Thank you
BellyBytes recently posted..Learning to write#Monday Musings
Such books will surely help caregivers keep their spirits up. Caregiving is not easy but it helps when one really cares about the patient. Then it doesn’t seem so hard. But yes, taking time to destress helps. Short walks, some television time, reading, friends who drop by and keep you company for a bit. What kills more than anything is the financial worry though.
Lata recently posted..Happily Unequal!
I must salute Harriet for devoting her life to giving care, which is indeed a challenging task. It can be very tiring and frustrating at times. The ones who receive such care too experience the trauma of being a dependent as receiving care is no less daunting…the constant reminder that ‘I am incapacitated, that I owe so much to this person, that will I ever be able to repay’…the guilt and the love, so many emotions keep cropping up!
It is such an achievement on the part of Harriet to have kept her sanity and even write so many books. Congratulations dear Harriet, you are no less than a lighthouse, a beacon of hope for many!
Thank you Cori, for sharing this book.
Balroop Singh recently posted..Only Heart Brings Happiness…Why I Have Always Followed My Heart
Caregivers need all the help they can get! Kudos to Harriet for writing this book. I spent the better part of two years looking after my elderly parents and thought at times that I was losing my sanity. Taking time out for oneself is so important.
Debbie D. recently posted..TEN QUESTION TAG – #MondayMusings #MicroblogMondays