Publisher Description

Nursing a parent, spouse, other relative, or friend through the painful progress of a terminal disease is not a road best traveled alone. The Complete Bedside Companion offers warmth, encouragement, and the medical, legal, financial, and emotional advice you need when caring for an ailing loved one.
Drawing on the experiences of dozens of ordinary people who have cared for relatives and friends ill or dying from cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, emphysema, diabetes, AIDS, and other serious conditions -- along with the practical wisdom of distinguished medical, legal, financial, and psychological experts -- this sound, compassionate guide provides field-tested advice on every aspect of caring for the sick including:
Doing battle with insurance companies Managing symptoms such as nausea or pain Exploring experimental and alternative therapies Maintaining cash flow and coping with bills

Author Biography

Rodger McFarlane, one of America's most respected consumer advocates for the sick, currently directs collaborative research between the American Association of Health Plans and Lotus (IBM), evaluating experimental medical treatments on behalf of customers of the managed care industry. He is the former Executive Director of the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Table of Contents

Contents Introduction How to Use This Book Part One: Caring for the Sick 1. The Hospital and the Medical Team: Who''s Who and What''s What When It Is Most Important to Be at an Ailing Loved One''s Side The Family and Medical Leave Act Set the Stage at Work Preparing for a Loved One''s Hospital Stay Arranging Blood Donations What to Bring to the Hospital (and What to Leave at Home) First Stop: The Admitting Office Next Stop: The Floor The Health Care Team: Who They Are and What They Do Doctors of Medicine (M.D.s) Nurses Nurse''s Assistants Other Hospital Staff Hospital Life: "But the Doctor Who Was Just Here Already Asked Us That!," Personalizing the Hospital Room Ways to Be Helpful When Visiting Patients in the Hospital Don''t Just Sit There, Do Something! When the Quality of Hospital Care Is Lacking What Is a Legitimate Complaint? To Whom Do You Complain? Sidestepping Hospital Visiting Policies Making Pitstops Before or After Hours Outpatient Appointments and Tests Strategic Scheduling Preparing for Procedures Avoiding Long Waits When Accompanying Loved Ones to Appointments Preparing for Discharge from the Hospital Postponing or Expediting Discharge Day Safety Measures for Around the Home Other Steps for Getting Ready Modifying the Home But Is It Covered? Recommended Reading 2. Dealing with the Doctors Choosing a Doctor The ABC''s of Getting Referrals Points to Consider When Choosing a Doctor Seeking a Second Opinion How Is a Second Opinon Arranged? When Professional Opinions Collide Obtaining Medical Records Care Partners, Patients, and Physicians: Ten Keys to Clear Communication Deciphering the Language of Medicine Tracking Down the Doctor Be Judicious with Questions for the Doctor Dissatisfied with the Doctor? When It Is Appropriate to Change Doctors? The Smart Way to Make the Switch A Final Thought: Dissatisfaction or Denial? 3. The Everyday Angel''s Cram Course in Essential Nursing Skills A Caregiver''s Basic Daily Skills Keeping Patients Hydrated Safeguarding Patients Against Infection Types of Infections and How to Prevent Transmission Special Care: Increased Susceptibility to Infection How Infections Are Treated Daily Hygiene Bathing How to Give a Four-Star Bed Bath Giving a Basin Bath Special Care: Bathing a Loved One Who Suffers from Memory Loss, Confusion, or Intellectual Impairment Skin Care Moisturize! Keep Skin Dry Itching Symptoms of Pressure Ulcers How to Prevent Pressure Ulcers How Pressure Ulcers Are Treated Wound Care Three Steps to Sterile Technique How to Change a Dressing Oral Hygiene Toileting When Patients Are Confined to Bed When Patients Are Able to Get Out of Bed Special Care: Toileting a Loved One Who Suffers from Memory Loss, Confusion, or Intellectual Impairment Cleaning Patients After a Bowel Movement or Urination Caring for an Ostomy Grooming and Dressing Hair Care Nail and Cuticle Care Shaving Dressing Patients Turning, Maneuvering, and Lifting How to Make an Occupied Bed Lifting Patients by Yourself Transferring from a Bed to a Chair or Wheelchair Mechanical Lifting Devices Tips for Preventing Falls Basic Home Safety Basic Walking Safety To Prevent Falls from Bed What to Do if a Patient Falls Preventing Muscle Contracture and Foot Drop How to Perform Passive Range-of-Motion Exercises What Is Foot Drop? Measuring Vital Signs How to Take a Temperature Managing Fever How to Take a Pulse How to Measure Blood Pressure How to Monitor Respirations Administering Medications Safely Before Filling a New Prescription At the Pharmacy Keeping Track of Medications and Dosing Schedules Routes of Drug Administration Allergic Reactions and Anaphylactic Shock Managing an Allergic Reaction Managing Pain Attitudes Toward Pain Relief Fundamentals of Pain Management Types of Pain Medications Other Methods of Administering Pain Medications Nonpharmaceutical Pain Management What to Do When Pain Is Poorly Controlled Essential Skills for Preventing and Managing Specific Complications Digestive Complications Appetite Loss and Anorexia Complications That Inferfere with Eating Indigestion and Nausea Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) Constipation and Gas Diarrhea Urinary Tract Complications Incontinence Urinary-Tract Infections Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders Respiratory Complications Difficulty Breathing (Dyspnea) Difficulty Expelling Secretions Chronic Coughing Circulatory Complications Edema, Blood Clots, Phlebitis, Orthostatic Hypotension Bleeding and Bruising Basic First Aid Managing Seizures and Convulsions Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) The Heimlich Maneuver When Should You Call an Ambulance? 4. Matters of the Heart The So-Called Five Stages of Coping Denial Anger rdBargaining Depression Acceptance The Fundamentals of Caregiving How to Be Supportive (Without Becoming a Pain in the Neck) Learning to Listen Other Sources of Patient Support Patient Support Groups Finding Hope and Comfort in Faith Long-Standing Conflicts Caring for People with Special Needs When a Loved One Is Not Conscious When a Loved One Suffers from Brain Function Impairment Memory Loss Delusional or Hallucinatory Behavior Agitated or Paranoid Behavior Combative Behavior Restraints Wandering When a Loved One Has Impaired Communications Skills 5. Mustering the Troops Spreading the Work Around The Family Conference "If There''s Anything I Can Do," Getting Men Involved The Ready Reserves: Teenagers and Children Long-Distance Angels When Friends and Family Disappoint How to Handle Weepers and Wailer Cheap Shots and Target Practice A Memo to Family and Friends Who Want to Help Community Support Services How to Find Support Services in Your Area Professional Case Management 6. The Caregiver as Consumer Activist What Are Clinical Trials? Who Pays for Clinical Trials From Laboratory to Marketplace How Do You Find Out About Clinical Trials? The Pros and Cons of Participating in a Clinical Trial Questions to Ask the Physician When Considering Participation in a Clinical Trial A Rational Approach to Unconventional Treatments How Do You Find Out About Alternative Therapies? When Is Enough Enough? Changing Course from Cure to Comfort Making Other Arrangements: Home Care, Hospice Care, and Nursing Home Care Why Home Care? Home Health Care Personnel Home Hospice Care When Cultures Collide: Building Rapport Across Class, Race, and Gender Nursing Homes and Residential Care 7. Care for the Caregivers Maintaining Your Physical Stamina Tricks for Keeping Your Body Running Resolve to Rest; Steal Some Sleep Eat and Drink Sensibly and Conscientiously Take Steps to Prevent Infection Exercise Don''t Postpone Your Own Doctor and Dental Appointments Don''t Try Doing It All Consider Respite Care or Adult Day Care Services Slow Down, Pace Yourself Finding the Emotional Strength Emotions Common to Caregivers "I Feel as if I''m in a State of Shock" "I Feel So Angry and Resentful" "I Feel So Guilty" "I Feel So Isolated and Alone" "I Worry All the Time" "I Feel So Helpless" "I Feel as if He''s Already Gone" Techniques f

Review

Dick Scanlan Poz magazine This "how-to" with heart is a must-buy for any potential caregiver or any care receiver.
Mike Maza The Dallas Morning News This is the best all-around guide we've seen about helping others cope with serious illness while still taking care of yourself.

Review Quote

Mike MazaThe Dallas Morning NewsThis is the best all-around guide we've seen about helping others cope with serious illness while still taking care of yourself.

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