Table of Contents

• About the Author
• Preface
• Words You Need to Know
• PART 1 CAREGIVING ESSENTIALS
• 1. Who Cares?
• 2. Before You Say Yes to Caregiving
• 3. Get Help
• 4. Set Boundaries
• 5. Take Care of Yourself
• PART 2 WHAT TO EXPECT
• 6. How Long Will My Caregiving Role Last?
• 7. The Physical Side of Caregiving
• 8. The Costs of Caregiving
• 9. Planning for Parkinson's
• PART 3 THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF CAREGIVING
• 10. What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed
• 11. How to Manage Caregiver Stress and Prevent Burnout
• 12. Keeping Your Cool: How to Stay Patient During Those Trying Times
• 13. How to Deal With Guilt
• 14. How to Cope With Loneliness
• 15. How to Handle Depression
• 16. How to Cope With Worries About the Unknown
• 17. How to Deal With Resentment
• PART 4 GETTING PRACTICAL: GENERAL CAREGIVING ISSUES
• 18. How to Help When Help Isn't Wanted
• 19. What NOT to Do When Caregiving
• 20. Long-Distance Caregiving
• 21. What to Do When No One Will Help
• PART 5 GETTING PRACTICAL: CAREGIVING FOR PARKINSON'S
• 22. Caregiving in the Early Stages of PD
• 23. Caregiving in the Mid-Stages of PD
• 24. Caregiving in the Late Stages of PD
• 25. How to Parkinson's-Proof Your Home
• 26. Helping With Mobility
• 27. Managing Freezing Episodes
• 28. Preventing Falls
• 29. Getting the Most Out of Medications
• 30. How to Deal With Hallucinations and Delusions
• 31. How to Handle Weight Loss
• 32. Help for Drooling and Dry Mouth
• 33. Mealtime and Swallowing Tips
• 34. Social and Activity Concerns
• PART 6 ESPECIALLY FOR SPOUSES
• 35. Special Needs of Spousal Caregivers
• 36. What to Do When Your Life Becomes All About Parkinson's
• 37. When Parkinson's Is Keeping You Up All Night
• 38. How Can I Regain Respect for My Spouse With PD?
• 39. Parkinson's and Your Sex Life
• PART 7 GETTING HELP
• 40. Respite Care
• 41. Housing Options
• 42. When Is It Time to Apply for Disability?
• 43. How Can We Pay for Caregiving?
• 44. How Do I Find Time for Me?
• PART 8 TOUGH CAREGIVING DECISIONS AND ISSUES
• 45. Decisions About Driving
• 46. How to Get Your Loved One to Consider Home Care
• 47. The Dreaded Nursing Home Decision
• 48. Keeping Peace in the Family
• 49. Parkinson's and Dementia: Caregiving for a Double Diagnosis
• 50. Grieving While Your Loved One Is Still Alive
• Acknowledgments
• Appendix
• Notes

About the Author

A trained nurse, Lianna Marie served as her mother's caregiver and advocate for over twenty years through the many stages of Parkinson's disease. She founded AllAboutParkinsons.com, an online community that has connected and helped thousands of people with the disease, their families, and their caregivers.

The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson's Disease and Their Loved Ones is written for people recently diagnosed and their family members; Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson's Disease is a go-to resource for all caregivers of those suffering from Parkinson's. Both books share the goal of educating and helping everyday people with no specialized training, providing comprehensive information, practical tips, and guidance about how to deal with the emotional toll of the disease.

Marie speaks frequently to fellow caregivers, guardians, and nurse practitioners. Born and raised near Toronto, Marie now lives with her husband in Seattle. When not writing or speaking, she can be found in the swimming pool, training for her next competition.

Reviews

"Caregiving is a catalyst for understanding the complex and profound feelings that come with being a caregiver. Lianna's book is exactly what all caregivers need. Without such deep connectivity to this personal experience we fall short of caring at the deepest levels and supporting others who may feel lost in the abyss of the journey. Her text moved me as I reflected on my own experiences as a physician, caregiver, and human being. This is a good thing--a very good thing. Lianna explores the humanness of hope, fear, joy, and pain. What one feels throughout Caregiving is honest and true. To care means you must feel, and to feel is to be alive--even in the setting of death."