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About Brain Tumors: 100 Questions & Answers. Virginia Stark-Vance, M.D. and M.L. Dubay. (2004). Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, M., www.jbpub.com, $16.95. This informative book is co-written in a question and answer format by a brain tumor survivor and neuro-oncologist who focuses on brain tumors. The authors do a good job of presenting complicated medical information in a fairly straightforward way. Dubay’s experience as a cancer survivor adds a real-life dimension to the sections on diagnosis, treatments and living post-treatment, making this a book of particular interest to families caring for someone with a brain tumor.
The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care. Virgina Bell and David Troxel. (2003). Health Professions Press, Baltimore, M.D., www.healthpress.com, $24.95. This revised edition of the book, which was first published in 1997, claims to bring more than "a laundry list of tips" to caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, the book presents a model of caregiving, or a philosophy of caregiving, for those confronted with the many challenges of dementia care. The book will be particularly useful to paid or family caregivers who are committed to caregiving and looking for more effective ways to provide care. The authors’ "Best Friends" approach presents an optimistic attitude towards caring for a person with dementia and gives many examples of how this approach can be used at home, in adult day care facilities and other long-term care facilities. Unlike other books about caregiving and dementia, the authors’ primary focus is on improving the life of the person with Alzheimer’s disease, with the assumption that caregivers will naturally be happier when the person they care for is themselves more content.
A Prescription For Caregivers: Take Care of Yourself. Terra Nova Films, Inc. (800) 779-849 or www.terranova.org, $119.00 ($39.00 to rent). This video is presented as a live discussion between an audience of caregivers and Wendy Lustbader, M.S.W., author of multiple books and videos about caregiving for elders. A variety of important topics are covered in the video including the importance of self care for caregivers, drawing boundaries in caregiving to prevent feelings of guilt and resentment, and learning to see things from the care receiver’s point of view. Ms. Lustbader uses stories from her days as a caregiver and experiences in social work to effectively illustrate her points throughout the video. Her energetic, engaging style of interaction with members of the audience makes for a very informative and interesting video.
Community Care for an Aging Society Issues, Policies and Services. Carole B. Cox. (2005). Springer Publishing Company. New York, NY., $41.95. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of aging practice and social policy issues, Carole Cox, Ph.D., presents a foundation for the current status of aging programs and policies in the United States. This easy-to-read, information-packed textbook provides in-depth analysis of factors contributing to care needs among older persons, such as physical and mental health impairments, housing needs, the influence of ethnicity on service use, and the role of the family in providing care. In addition, the book addresses many innovative policies and services that are making contributions to the well-being and independence of the older population through community care. This book’s unique focus on both practice as well as policy issues makes it appropriate for program planners and service providers as well as students in gerontology, public policy, and similar fields. Dr. Cox’s effort to stimulate discussion surrounding the increasing need for community care as the older population continues to grow is commendable and long overdue.
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