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The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself
Linda Abbit, founder of Tender Loving Eldercare and a veteran of the caregiving industry, shares her advice on taking care of an older parent or loved one and how to handle everything that goes along with this dramatic life change.Being a caregiver can be a difficult role. It requires patience, tenderness, selflessness, and hard work. Providing care for someone, whether it’s a parent, a loved one, or as a professional requires a high level of self-love and self-care. But while it may be a rewarding experience to care for a loved one, the emotional and physical stress of caregiving can lead to burnout and exhaustion—causing caregivers to put themselves and their own well-being in the background. How can you fulfill your role as a caregiver without losing yourself? Conscious Caregiver teaches you how to navigate caring for your loved one, whether it’s full-time in-house caregiving or hiring support from outside services. With information on how to talk to your loved ones about the situation, handle the emotional stress, stay financially secure, and take the time to care for yourself, this guide can help you care for your loved one and yourself at the same time.
- GenresNonfiction
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2017
227 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Linda Abbit
1 book2 followersLinda Abbit is an eldercare professional and caregiver with more than 25 years of experience caring for her parents and other family members.
Linda worked for over 10 years in the eldercare and health care professions. In 2021, she retired from her position as Community Outreach Manager for Alzheimer’s Family Center, an adult day health care agency designed solely for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their families.
She currently speaks, leads workshops and assists family caregivers through her book and the Tender Loving Eldercare Facebook page. Her talks are engaging, inspiring and, most importantly, full of real-world practices for new and veteran caregivers to implement in their daily caregiving.
She holds a Master’s degree in Education and was a support group facilitator for the Alzheimer’s Association in Orange County for many years.
Linda received the Caregiver of the Year Award by Caregiving.com in 2009.
Linda worked for over 10 years in the eldercare and health care professions. In 2021, she retired from her position as Community Outreach Manager for Alzheimer’s Family Center, an adult day health care agency designed solely for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their families.
She currently speaks, leads workshops and assists family caregivers through her book and the Tender Loving Eldercare Facebook page. Her talks are engaging, inspiring and, most importantly, full of real-world practices for new and veteran caregivers to implement in their daily caregiving.
She holds a Master’s degree in Education and was a support group facilitator for the Alzheimer’s Association in Orange County for many years.
Linda received the Caregiver of the Year Award by Caregiving.com in 2009.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 19, 2024
You’ve either been a caregiver, you are a caregiver or you will be in the future. Please read. Everyone.
July 21, 2020
A definite read again and again book
Great resource. Very detailed and educational. Every home should one of that book because the material can be used in any carving situation even in childcare.
Great resource. Very detailed and educational. Every home should one of that book because the material can be used in any carving situation even in childcare.
Want to read
July 2, 2023recommended via WaPo advice column:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/advice...
Ask Amy: I hate how frustrated I feel as my mom’s caregiver
Advice by Amy Dickinson
June 28, 2023 at 12:00 a.m. EDT
Dear Amy: I’m halfway through a two-week visit with my 89-year-old mom, and my stress level is through the roof.
On the one hand, I know that her life isn’t easy due to numerous health issues, including memory and vision loss — plus the death of my dad just over a year ago. On the other hand, and my siblings would all agree, she makes everything so much harder than it has to be, for herself and for everyone around her.
The criticisms, complaints, put-downs, constant demands and need to control everything makes it so hard to find the patience and compassion I should have. It doesn’t take very long when trying to do anything with her before I’m stressed out and frustrated at the way she treats me and what I’m being put through while trying to help her. And I hate myself for it.
I can hear the whine of an unhappy child in the grumbling of the adult I’m supposed to be, and by nightfall it’s not just one day’s worth of issues I’m trying to let go of, but decades of conflict, misunderstandings and bad behavior on both our parts.
She’s 89. She’s sick. She’s alone. She’s struggling to cope. She’s my mom. Why can’t I be more tolerant?
— Intolerant Caregiver
Intolerant: The reason you can’t be more tolerant when providing care to your mother is because providing care for an ill and challenging parent is a huge and heartbreaking experience.
This is one reason that qualified, experienced and reliable professional caregivers are worth their weight in gold. Caregivers outside the family are not triggered by a lifetime of memories of their client. They also go home at the end of their shift. Adult children caregivers remain emotionally engaged, even when they’re not physically present.
I hope that you and your siblings can support one another through this time. Sharing, venting and comparing notes will help you all to provide your mother with the compassionate care that she needs.
You might also benefit from reading “The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself,” by Linda Abbit (2017, Adams Media).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/advice...
Ask Amy: I hate how frustrated I feel as my mom’s caregiver
Advice by Amy Dickinson
June 28, 2023 at 12:00 a.m. EDT
Dear Amy: I’m halfway through a two-week visit with my 89-year-old mom, and my stress level is through the roof.
On the one hand, I know that her life isn’t easy due to numerous health issues, including memory and vision loss — plus the death of my dad just over a year ago. On the other hand, and my siblings would all agree, she makes everything so much harder than it has to be, for herself and for everyone around her.
The criticisms, complaints, put-downs, constant demands and need to control everything makes it so hard to find the patience and compassion I should have. It doesn’t take very long when trying to do anything with her before I’m stressed out and frustrated at the way she treats me and what I’m being put through while trying to help her. And I hate myself for it.
I can hear the whine of an unhappy child in the grumbling of the adult I’m supposed to be, and by nightfall it’s not just one day’s worth of issues I’m trying to let go of, but decades of conflict, misunderstandings and bad behavior on both our parts.
She’s 89. She’s sick. She’s alone. She’s struggling to cope. She’s my mom. Why can’t I be more tolerant?
— Intolerant Caregiver
Intolerant: The reason you can’t be more tolerant when providing care to your mother is because providing care for an ill and challenging parent is a huge and heartbreaking experience.
This is one reason that qualified, experienced and reliable professional caregivers are worth their weight in gold. Caregivers outside the family are not triggered by a lifetime of memories of their client. They also go home at the end of their shift. Adult children caregivers remain emotionally engaged, even when they’re not physically present.
I hope that you and your siblings can support one another through this time. Sharing, venting and comparing notes will help you all to provide your mother with the compassionate care that she needs.
You might also benefit from reading “The Conscious Caregiver: A Mindful Approach to Caring for Your Loved One Without Losing Yourself,” by Linda Abbit (2017, Adams Media).
March 5, 2025
A Must-Read for Caregivers Seeking Balance and Wisdom
The Conscious Caregiver by Linda Abbit is a compassionate and insightful guide that offers invaluable advice for those navigating the challenges of caregiving. With practical tips, emotional support, and a focus on self-care, this book empowers caregivers to find balance while providing the best possible care for their loved ones.
Our book club, which focuses on caregiving-related reads, found this book to be both inspiring and deeply reassuring. We appreciated Abbit’s gentle yet realistic approach, as well as the emphasis on mindfulness and emotional well-being. The real-life examples and actionable strategies made it an engaging and useful read for all of us.
Whether you are a new caregiver or have been in this role for years, The Conscious Caregiver is a heartfelt and practical companion that reminds you that taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for others. Highly recommended!
The Conscious Caregiver by Linda Abbit is a compassionate and insightful guide that offers invaluable advice for those navigating the challenges of caregiving. With practical tips, emotional support, and a focus on self-care, this book empowers caregivers to find balance while providing the best possible care for their loved ones.
Our book club, which focuses on caregiving-related reads, found this book to be both inspiring and deeply reassuring. We appreciated Abbit’s gentle yet realistic approach, as well as the emphasis on mindfulness and emotional well-being. The real-life examples and actionable strategies made it an engaging and useful read for all of us.
Whether you are a new caregiver or have been in this role for years, The Conscious Caregiver is a heartfelt and practical companion that reminds you that taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for others. Highly recommended!
July 3, 2024
Obviously this is a niche read, but for those dealing with the health decline of a loved one, I highly recommend this.
Linda Abbit does an extraordinary job describing the challenges of caregiving. Clearly she has extensive experience working with both those in need of care and those who care for them. And, incidentally, the caregivers need care, too!
Ms Abbit gives the reader much to think about and much to take in, and yet she writes with such compassion, empathy, and understanding that the learning feels natural, gentle, and not at all overwhelming. Self-care is essential. Loving language and loving touch is essential. And breaking through past family dynamics is essential. Linda never makes it seem easy, but with her sense of self-forgiveness and mindfulness, it feels a lot easier.
This is a must read for any caregivers out there.
Linda Abbit does an extraordinary job describing the challenges of caregiving. Clearly she has extensive experience working with both those in need of care and those who care for them. And, incidentally, the caregivers need care, too!
Ms Abbit gives the reader much to think about and much to take in, and yet she writes with such compassion, empathy, and understanding that the learning feels natural, gentle, and not at all overwhelming. Self-care is essential. Loving language and loving touch is essential. And breaking through past family dynamics is essential. Linda never makes it seem easy, but with her sense of self-forgiveness and mindfulness, it feels a lot easier.
This is a must read for any caregivers out there.
January 6, 2024
There are only 4 kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. - Rosalyn Carter. This book is a great resource as well as the 36 Hour Day for anyone caring for someone with Dementia/Alzheimers. It addresses your journey from beginning to end. It addresses not only caring for your loved one but yourself, something that is extremely difficult to do without guilt or bitterness. Hardest job ever, anyone never wearing these shoes has no idea what you go through. Read this if you end up wearing the shoes.
August 13, 2025
Compassionate & practical read for caregivers, whose work can go on for years. Many recommendations how to take care of your loved one & ideas to carve a little time for yourself to restore energy & balance when possible.
January 4, 2023
Un libro que me abrió los ojos a ver la realidad desde otra perspectiva del cuidador y con algunos tips para no perderte en el proceso y darte cuidado a ti también.
April 13, 2025
i will probably be referencing this a lot
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews