The AARP Caregiver Answer Book

If you’re among the millions of people annually who take on the role of providing unpaid care to family, friends, or neighbors, you are sure to face tough questions. How do I coordinate the care my loved one needs? How can I get other relatives to pitch in? Who pays for all this? Husband-and-wife psychologists Barry J. Jacobs and Julia L. Mayer--who have counseled family caregivers for over 30 years and cared for their own aging parents for a decade--have answers. Written in a Q&A format, this easy-to-navigate guide is packed with information, problem-solving and coping ideas, resources, stories, and communication tips. Drs. Jacobs and Mayer compassionately address everything you need to know to help your parent, spouse, or other care receiver. From managing family conflicts to hiring aides to optimizing end-of-life care, this is a book to return to at every step of the journey.

Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and family therapist who works with caregivers and care receivers in private practice in Media, Pennsylvania. He has written extensively about caregiving, including a long-running self-help column for caregivers on AARP.org, and is a sought-after speaker and workshop presenter. Dr. Jacobs is also a Principal at a national health care consulting firm.

Julia L. Mayer, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in Media, Pennsylvania, who specializes in working with women and has a growing focus on supporting caregivers. She is coauthor of articles and books on caregiving and relationships with her husband, Barry J. Jacobs, and is also a published novelist. Dr. Mayer is cohost of a podcast on psychology and social justice and a former president of the Philadelphia Psychology Network.

Authors’ Note
Introduction
1. Welcome to Caregiving
2. Assessing Your Situation
3. Taking Care of Yourself, Too
4. Communicating with Dignity
5. Caring for a Parent
6. Caring for a Partner
7. Caring for Someone with Cognitive Impairment
8. Day-to-Day Caregiving at Home
9. Caregiving in a Facility and from a Distance
10. The High Cost of Caregiving
11. Collaborating with Siblings and Other Relatives
12. Partnering with Helping Professionals
13. When the End is in Sight--and Afterward
Afterword
Resources
Index
About the Authors