A guide that takes the fear out of home care and brings confidence and peace of mind to caregivers. The Comfort of Home starts with the basics and contains all the information caregivers need to do the job at their fingertips, both now and as new healthcare needs arise. The guide helps -make the home safe and comfortable, -handle everyday activities like toileting, bathing, and wheelchair transfers, -avoid infections and illnesses, -deal with Alzheimer's care, -communicate with healthcare professionals, -understand end-of-life health care documents and -avoid caregiver burnout.
Maria Meyer has been a long-time advocate of social causes, beginning with her work as co-founder of the Society for Abused Children of the Childrens Home Society of Florida. She was also the founding Executive Director of the Childrens Foundation of Greater Miami. Maria continued her work in institutional advancement for nonprofit organizations, ranging from homeless shelters to botanic gardens. When her father-in-law suffered a stroke in 1993, Maria became aware of the need for more information about how to care for an aging parent. That led Maria to found CareTrust Publications LLC, a company dedicated to producing reader-friendly books that help ordinary people cope with their increasing responsibilities for aging family members and friends. She and her husband also founded CareTrust, Inc., an advisory firm that helps faith-based organizations develop affordable housing and assisted living for the elderly. Maria and her husband have four children and live in Portland, Oregon.
Paula Derr has been employed by the Sisters of Providence Health System for over 25 years and is a Clinical Educator for three emergency departments in the Portland metropolitan area. She is co-owner of InforMed, which publishes emergency medical services field guides for emergency technicians (EMTs), paramedics, firefighters, physicians, and nurses and has co-authored numerous health care articles. For Paula, home care is a family tradition of long standing. She has a special understanding of the challenges caregivers face in caring for people with Alzheimers. For many years, Paula cared for her mother and grandmother in her home while raising two daughters and maintaining her career in nursing and health management. Her personal and professional experience adds depth to many chapters of this book. Paula is active in several prominent professional organizations-- SCCM, ENA, AACA, NFNA- and holds both local and national board positions. Paula is a native Oregonian and lives with her husband in Portland.
