Caregiver's Guide

In this plain-language guide, Hohler, an orthopedic surgical nurse, urges caregivers to make self-care a priority. The first part of the book begins by outlining the stages of caregiving and offering ideas for relieving stress, such as journaling, humor, and avoiding isolation. This section then offers brief explanations of different types of doctors and specialists and gives advice on how to find a doctor and how to choose a hospital. One chapter is dedicated to understanding types of surgical procedures and preparing for surgery. There is background on patient rights, legal documents involving medical care, differences between Medicaid and Medicare, and side effects and costs of prescription drugs. The book also includes many specific questions to ask during a doctor visit. The second section of the book reviews the symptoms, diagnosis, management, and complementary treatment of five major health problems: Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The book includes a glossary, websites, and sample documents. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Orthopaedic surgical nurse Sharon E. Hohler is a member of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses. The author of a number of journal articles, she is a member of the Heartland Writers Guild and the Missouri Writers Guild. She lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Elaine A. Moore has worked in hospital laboratories for more than 30 years, primarily in immunohematology and toxicology. She is a freelance medical writer and laboratory consultant. For more information, visit her website at www.elaine-moore.com. She lives in Sedalia, Colorado.