Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents: How to Help, How to Survive

by Claire Berman

A guide for children of aging parents addresses such issues as guilt, long-distance caregiving, and monetary concerns

Genres: Nonfiction, Aging

255 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1996

Reviews

[Carol]

This is one of the most grounded caregiving books I’ve read. Claire Berman blends practical advice with real‑world examples that feel honest rather than idealized. She covers the emotional strain, the family dynamics, the decision‑making, and the day‑to‑day realities that caregivers rarely talk about openly.

I found the sections on boundaries, burnout, and long‑term planning especially helpful. If you’re caring for an aging parent and need guidance that respects both your parent’s dignity and your own limits, this book is a strong resource.

[Melissa]

Gave me peace for the days ahead.

[Karen]

Very helpful advice and informative suggestions.

[Amy]

This book was an excellent read and is a wonderful and gentle introduction into this transition of caring for aging parents. The author starts the book by telling her own story and how she handled her journey. I found this to be so helpful since at the time I wasn't ready for the more "how to" tone of other books I had looked at (those had more of a legal slant to them). The author in a sense takes you by the hand and guides you through it. She also includes personal stories from many adult children who are helping out their parents.
Resources and tips are included throughout the book and there are sources listed at the end of the book as well. A very helpful resource when you are first starting out!

[Beth]

This book covers all the basics and goes a little bit further. I'm not too sure what I mean by that, except that it is I can't complain until I write my own book. It comes pretty close to caregiving from a compassionate place while taking care of yourself.

[Alisa]

Lots of good advice.

[Pat]

Very helpful. Read it now before it's too late.

[Gabby]

This book had a lot of good ideas to use and think about in caring for your parents. Letting go of who they were and who they are now.