The Complete Bedside Companion

A guide to caring for the seriously or terminally ill offers advice on major issues including insurance, pain management, and finances

Caring for someone who is seriously ill is a major responsibility. It is both a full-time job that is physically, emotionally, and financially demanding, and a rewarding act of love. This book, written by two experienced caregivers, "walks you down the road from the onset of symptoms through the very end and afterward." It offers practical information, advice, and support for those who undertake this monumental task.

The book is divided into two parts. The first covers the general aspects of caring for the sick: how to choose and deal with doctors, hospitals, and insurance providers; home nursing skills; legal matters; financial affairs; getting help from and dealing with family and friends; support groups and preserving personal health; preparing for death; and the grief process. The authors are very supportive. They encourage caregivers to do whatever they can without neglecting themselves and their families. They provide contact numbers for national support groups in the introduction.

The second part of the book provides information on caring for people with specific diseases. Chapters on cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disease include information on the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and course of the disease. Emphasis is on the practical aspects^-how to test blood glucose levels, proper diets, dealing with impaired mobility, incontinence, and dementia. Stories from people who have cared for someone with the disease inject a dose of reality. They speak about the difficulties and the joys of being a caregiver. There is a brief bibliography at the end of each chapter.

A series of appendixes offers referrals to organizations that provide information about specific diseases, social services, home and long-term care, and hospice services. The authors mention using the Internet as a resource, but they do not give any URLs. A bibliography of books and articles completes the text.

The Complete Bedside Companion lives up to its subtitle. By explaining everything from bedsore prevention and the pros and cons of clinical trials and alternative treatments to paying the bills and handling the dynamics of a family during a stressful time, and offering advice on surviving the ordeal intact, the authors have written an extremely valuable book. It belongs in both reference and circulating collections in public and health libraries. Those facing a family health crisis should purchase a copy for their personal library.