Review

Ideas from experience

YOU AND CARING: AN ACTION PLAN FOR CARING AT HOME
Penny Mares
King’s Fund Centre, 1992, £5.50

I found You and caring easy to read. The ideas and suggestions based on experience were good.

I liked the way that the carer was made to feel that their opinions and the way they felt about caring were important and that they should not feel guilty if they had reason to complain or felt angry.

Talking things over with a trained counsellor is good and can work, but this option is generally only available for a period of six months. What is the carer supposed to do then? Their situation remains the same, it doesn’t go away.

Carers are saving the country millions so counselling should be made available to those who need it. The very fact that someone you know and trust is available if needed can very often be enough on its own.

The book contains clear information on services available, who provides them and who to contact. There is a very helpful section on how to react to life changes and I am sure the book would be a valuable asset to any carer.

I showed the book to Di White, senior practice nurse at the Westbank League of Friends, who wrote: ‘The book gives good insight into what it means to be a carer. It gives good positive and practical advice, and looks at developing assertiveness skills.’

Mary Nisbett, the League of Friends co-ordinator, wrote: ‘I liked the easy to read style of the book, which I felt could be picked up for a few minutes at a time - this is important for carers who do not have much time to sit and read uninterrupted.

‘It is good to see carers’ needs given a high priority. This book gives carers the feeling that they deserve and are entitled to support.’