The Caregiving Wife's Handbook: Caring for Your Seriously Ill Husband, Caring for Yourself

Women are suffering physical, emotional and financial burnout as the United States' leading caregivers. While resources abound for caregivers in general, little help exists for women caring for seriously ill husbands.

Traditionally, caring for an ill husband has been seen as a "wifely duty." But when your husband has a long-term or life-threatening illness, things become complex. Every day brings new challenges. Making decisions without the usual help of your partner can become overwhelming. Some marriages grow stronger, others disintegrate. It is a time when clear thinking is needed - and this book can help.

Emotional Insight, Communication Tools, Practical Advice...

Soon after they married, Diana Denholm's husband was diagnosed with colon cancer and congestive heart failure, and she became his primary caregiver for more than ten years. Drawing on her work as a therapist, Denholm developed the tools and strategies that she shares in this book. Read it and you will discover that you are not alone, that many of your emotional responses (even the negative ones!) are common and normal and that there are many things you can do to manage and improve your life.

The advice in The Caregiving Wife's Handbook can help you to

• know whether your caretaking actions are keeping him dependent or
• are appropriate to his real needs
• manage anger, guilt, grief, stress and resentment
• broach awkward but important subjects, such as his hygiene, your
• sex life and meddling relatives
• negotiate common hot-button issues, including driving and financial
• and legal matters
• take steps to bring more balance, free time and fun into your life

Denholm addresses issues with directness, offering clear-headed solutions not found anywhere else. You will also learn survival tips from the case histories of Joyce, Fran, Tina, Jean, Susan and Mary. Their experiences will help you choose the roles you should take on and those you should avoid, as well as "Do's" and "Don'ts" that will make your life simpler.

The Caregiving Wife's Handbook will give you the support and tools you need to get through a stressful time with compassion, while keeping yourself emotionally whole.