Homecare for the Critically and Terminally Ill

Becoming a primary caregiver for a loved one who is terminally or critically ill can be a trying experience for someone who has most likely already been on an emotional roller coaster, often for an extended period of time. This 6-volume video series beautifully demonstrates, in simple detail, how to work with hospice and home health care professionals in providing quality care for homebound patients. Designed for people with no previous medical training, the videos include interviews with caregivers and insights from professionals, as well as discussions/vignettes on how to prepare the physical surroundings of the home, how to work with wheelchairs, walkers, and other tools for mobility, food preparation, medication, personal hygiene, and bed changing. While actors are used to portray patients and family members for demonstration purposes, the healthcare professionals shown here are licensed hospice and home health aides. Although it's not a substitute for attending home health professionals, this series will be very useful as a tutor for primary caregivers (or individual volumes may be used for training outside help for specific tasks such as bed changing). Finally, I was particularly glad to see emotional issues addressed, such as anger, denial, talking about death, and the importance of breaks for the primary caregiver to maintain emotional and physical health. Highly recommended for both public libraries and academic nursing programs. Aud: C, P (L. Stevens)