Caregiver's Survival Guide: Caring for Yourself While Caring for a Loved One

by Ellie Crowe, Ellie Crowe

Caregiver's Survival Guide is based on Dr. Robert Yonover's personal experiences. While struggling to become a successful scientist and inventor, he also was primary caregiver for his paralyzed wife for more than twenty years and raised their two children. Yonover takes you into the throes of his life as a caregiver, husband, and father, offering guidance and hope through his story. He provides advice Dealing with heavy news Handling day-to-day challenges Holding on to the foundation of your relationship Taking stock of finances Adapting and enjoying life Staying sane Maintaining a social life Fighting for your rights Through Caregiver's Survival Guide, Dr. Yonover will equip other caregivers who face similar physical, mental, social, and financial challenges with tips and guidelines from his own experiences and other experts to help make their situation survivable.

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2018

About the author

Ellie Crowe loves to read and to write and is the author of Surfer of the Century, The Life of Duke Kahanamoku,(Lee and Low NY 2008), Hardcore Inventing, Invent, Protect, Promote and Profit (Skyhorse Publishing, NY 2009), Hawaii, A Pictorial Celebration, (Sterling Publishing NY), Exploring Lost Hawaii, Places of Power, History, Mystery and Magic, (Island Heritage, Hawaii 2003), content featured on the History Channel and the Travel Channel, and Hoku the Stargazer, The Exciting Pirate Adventure, (Island Heritage, Honolulu, Hawaii 2009), Gatorlands, Harold and the Poopy Little Puppy, The Story of Olympic Swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, I Escaped North Korea, I Escaped the World's Deadliest Shark Attack, I Escaped Amazon River Pirates.
Awards: 2008 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, 2008 Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance Once Upon a World Award, Carter G. Woodson Award, Texas Bluebonnet Master List 2010/2011 selection, Bank Street College Books of the Year, The Bloomsbury Review Editors Favorite, Cleveland Public Library Distinguished Children’s Biography List, Texas Women’s University Librarians’ Choice 2008, Kiriyama Notable Books 2008, BookList Best Children’s Books 2007, Five awards for literary excellence in 2004 from the Hawaii Book publishers Association, The Kahili Award in Literary Arts in 2004, 2002 Hawaii Tourism Association Award for Excellence; Starred review from School Library Journal.

Reviews

[Bean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ableism and a strange abundance of racism are abound in this book, which details one well-resourced white man's experience of caregiving, while living on waterfront property in Hawai'i. Other notable sentiments in this book include: the author's disparaging feelings about the healing capacity of acupuncture (plus, his "knowing that the Chinese... were quite frugal people"??); his assessment of his wife's sexiness, "even in the wheelchair" (as though being a wheelchair user obviously takes away from a person's attractiveness...); and his inexplicable anecdote about a "Vietnamese psychic".

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for something else with this book. I am sad that he lost his wife, but at the same time, there was something that rubbed me the wrong way about it.

[Leah Krieger · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lost count how many times he called himself a “macho man” and how many times he objectified his wife. I purchased this book to assist with my parent moving in with me, as it was marketed to be helpful to any caretaker. This is not true. So if you’re a macho man who has no idea how to take care of someone because you’re entitled and spoiled, this is the book for you! Otherwise do not purchase!

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to judge, not going through this myself. Accidentally grabbed it from the library thinking it was about something else.

That being said, I was hoping for more! Though there were some redeemable qualities in the book, and some of the best pieces of advice and perspective I'm sure were hard to write, which I don't want to give too little credit to. But overall, just a big meh.

On the plus side, it's very easy to read and maybe will give you the insight you are looking for if you find yourself in his position.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am sorry for the main character's loss but his attitude about a lot of things was just off putting. He lived a life of privilege--he and his wife traveled the world; she traveled all over the world looking for cures and even spent a year in Israel. I am sorry but those things are way beyond what the average person who is a caregiver can afford. There was a great deal of insensitivity in the telling of the story and his tips for caregiving. This was more a story of his life than a Caregiver's Survival Guide.

[David Reaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The challenging road as a caregiver

This is a quick read but highlights some unique needs a caregiver needs to handle. It also highlights the vulnerability of many with severe disabilities and highlights what they must deal with. Helping your spouse for nearly twenty years is an unimaginable challenge.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read as i'm thinking about creating a support group for caregivers. i can see this book being both a guide and a comfort for those caring for their own loved ones as the author is very vulnerable about his own journey with his wife who had increasing limitations from MS.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Reminds you that you aren't the only one out there. The book discusses several topics that no one (other than the caregiver) wants to hear about.

[Jerrie DanceMabus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real

Gives an honest look into caregiving. Provides great resources and ideas for your future as a card giver. Good Read.

[Molar Roller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was uncomfortable with his sexual details.