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The first 3 books below are a 3-part series for family caregivers and the professionals and volunteers who help them. We start with Caring for Loved Ones at Home, which is a basic home nursing guide for anyone caring for someone at home who is recovering from treatment or surgery, or from having a baby, or caring for someone with more serious or chronic conditions.
Family Hospice Care: Pre-Planning and Care Guide is for those who are thinking ahead of how to live as fully as possible at home until they die. It covers the physical, emotional, spiritual and information needs of both the person who is ill and their family.
The Gift of Care is primarily for professional and volunteer care providers as it looks at how they can enhance their skills in caring for people who have a life-threatening or terminal condition. Family caregivers can also benefit from this book but they should start with the first two books listed above.
The rest of the books have more specific audiences. Browse through the titles and descriptions to see what might be most helpful to you right now.
Family Hospice Care: Pre-Planning and Care Guide is for those who are thinking ahead of how to live as fully as possible at home until they die. It covers the physical, emotional, spiritual and information needs of both the person who is ill and their family.
The Gift of Care is primarily for professional and volunteer care providers as it looks at how they can enhance their skills in caring for people who have a life-threatening or terminal condition. Family caregivers can also benefit from this book but they should start with the first two books listed above.
The rest of the books have more specific audiences. Browse through the titles and descriptions to see what might be most helpful to you right now.
An illustrated, easy-to-follow guide to short and long-term care, this short book provides practical skills that you can use immediately. There are over 120,000 copies of this book in print helping families coast to coast to coast.
Providing home care for loved ones is one of the most precious gifts we can give them and ourselves. These are times of great love, intimacy and laughter. These are also times of frustration and exhaustion, often caused by a lack of practical skills and support. From the personal experience and extensive research, Harry van Bommel gives step-by-step instructions with illustrations on how to provide basic home care.
As well as practical skills, this book provides caregivers with questions to ask the right people so you can better understand tests, drugs, diagnoses, infections and treatment alternatives. It lists questions to ask when going to hospital, undergoing surgery and includes a glossary of medical and home care terms.
It includes success stories, how to get help from younger family members, how to coordinate care from a distance and how to create a support circle of support so that the immediate family members do not have to do all the work alone.
Harry van Bommel helped his mother, father and grandfather to live at home until they died. He has helped countless others - through his writing, speaking and one-to-one support. He wants to turn and end-of-life experience into
something to be treasured rather than feared. His detailed suggestions help people take control of the roller-coaster
ride of emotions, feelings and experiences. Family Hospice Care: Pre-Planning and Care Guide is the best selling book
on hospice and home care, with over 100,000 copies in print.
The book starts with the basics of what you need to know and do first. Then it looks at hospice success stories and
the hospice philosophy of care.
Breaking down what a patient needs is next with specific sections on the physical (pain and symptom control), emotional, spiritual and information needs of the person who is ill and their family members.
The book concludes with how to find local community resources that can help you care for someone who wants
to live at home until they die.
Hospice palliative care is about helping people live fully throughout their last illness(es). It tells us to "nurture relationships above all else." It's about meeting people's physical, emotional, spiritual and information needs.
Learn 10 ways to nurture relationships.
Learn the most deadly phrase in health care and how to avoid it.
Learn why it is NOT better to give than to receive.
Learn people's 11 greatest care needs and how to fulfill them.
Understand grief for children, elders and everyone in between.
Learn the 27 most important skills of caregiving.
The spiritual heart of hospice as well as other aspects of the hospice philosophy of care are chronicled in this celebratory book. It includes a biographical sketch of Dr. Dorothy Ley, a Canadian and international pioneer of the hospice care movement, with photographs.
This book provides a useful and inspirational educational tool for palliative care providers primarily but also for everyone interested in palliative care. The insights of one of the pioneers in Canada are insightful, practical, direct, humorous, colourful and inspirational.
As a hematologist (blood cancer physician) see saw too many of her patients die. She wanted to help change that. She thought that spiritual was one of the 4 cornerstones of palliative care with the others being meeting the physical, emotional, and information needs of the person who is trying to live fully until they die. She wrote:
"Spiritual care lies at the heart of hospice. It says we are here. We will be with you in your living and your dying. We will free you from pain and give you the freedom to find your own meaning in your own life -- your way. We will comfort you and those you love -- not always with words, often with a touch or a glance. We will bring you hope -- not for tomorrow but for this day. We will not leave you. We will watch with you. We will be there."
This book provides a useful and inspirational educational tool for palliative care providers primarily but also for everyone interested in palliative care. The insights of one of the pioneers in Canada are insightful, practical, direct, humorous, colourful and inspirational.
As a hematologist (blood cancer physician) see saw too many of her patients die. She wanted to help change that. She thought that spiritual was one of the 4 cornerstones of palliative care with the others being meeting the physical, emotional, and information needs of the person who is trying to live fully until they die. She wrote:
"Spiritual care lies at the heart of hospice. It says we are here. We will be with you in your living and your dying. We will free you from pain and give you the freedom to find your own meaning in your own life -- your way. We will comfort you and those you love -- not always with words, often with a touch or a glance. We will bring you hope -- not for tomorrow but for this day. We will not leave you. We will watch with you. We will be there."
There are so many definitions of 'healing.' For our purposes, it means 'to make whole again.' To feel complete as you are regardless of your circumstances. To feel that you have and are enough. Enough love. Enough support. Enough gratitude. Enough of yourself to give to others.
There are times when we feel that we cannot control our mind's thoughts. We feel powerless by our own run-away thoughts. We may even feel like we are 'loosing our mind' to an outside force.
These are the times when we need to take control of our thoughts and feelings - to be whole again. These are the times when using some techniques in this book will let you concentrate on what your mind brings forward in ways that takes away the anxious elements of those fears and brings healing to you.
The book looks at thoughts and actions that can bring you to that place where wholeness is possible more often than not. Your life won't be perfect of course nor will healing necessarily lead to a complete cure or recovery. But by healing yourself and allowing others to help, you can feel whole in ways that you might never have experienced before. Healing, even when you are sick, is possible because you have control over how you see yourself and how you help others to see you.
There are times when we feel that we cannot control our mind's thoughts. We feel powerless by our own run-away thoughts. We may even feel like we are 'loosing our mind' to an outside force.
These are the times when we need to take control of our thoughts and feelings - to be whole again. These are the times when using some techniques in this book will let you concentrate on what your mind brings forward in ways that takes away the anxious elements of those fears and brings healing to you.
The book looks at thoughts and actions that can bring you to that place where wholeness is possible more often than not. Your life won't be perfect of course nor will healing necessarily lead to a complete cure or recovery. But by healing yourself and allowing others to help, you can feel whole in ways that you might never have experienced before. Healing, even when you are sick, is possible because you have control over how you see yourself and how you help others to see you.
The purpose of this book is very simple: To help you choose to be happier more often.
That's it. Nothing too fancy. Not happy all the time. Just to be happier more often than you are now.
Did you know that it is easier to be unhappy than happy? Harry van Bommel will prove it and then show you how you can be both happier and more successful. Learn the 10 Rules for being happier more often (and successful).
Learn 5 ancient truths that will help you in your relationships.
Learn what HAPPINESS MBS stands for and how it can help you today.
This short book will tell you what you already know -- it is what we think and what we believe that determines how we react to good times and difficult times. We can't fix the whole world but we can always react to it with a happier point of view. If you don't believe that, just sit somewhere in a crowded place and watch the people. Who are the people who appear happier than the other people? Who are the people who make an effort to bring a smile to someone else or a chuckle in a short conversation? Their lives aren't perfect. They lives are not necessarily better than yours. What are they doing differently? Do they appear to be enjoying their lives more because of what they do differently?
This book will share some of their techniques with you.
That's it. Nothing too fancy. Not happy all the time. Just to be happier more often than you are now.
Did you know that it is easier to be unhappy than happy? Harry van Bommel will prove it and then show you how you can be both happier and more successful. Learn the 10 Rules for being happier more often (and successful).
Learn 5 ancient truths that will help you in your relationships.
Learn what HAPPINESS MBS stands for and how it can help you today.
This short book will tell you what you already know -- it is what we think and what we believe that determines how we react to good times and difficult times. We can't fix the whole world but we can always react to it with a happier point of view. If you don't believe that, just sit somewhere in a crowded place and watch the people. Who are the people who appear happier than the other people? Who are the people who make an effort to bring a smile to someone else or a chuckle in a short conversation? Their lives aren't perfect. They lives are not necessarily better than yours. What are they doing differently? Do they appear to be enjoying their lives more because of what they do differently?
This book will share some of their techniques with you.
Many people with disabilities or long-term care needs do not know what kind of home modifications or renovations they need, now how to get the work done. They suffer needlessly because they lack practical and useful information, which often means they do without these changes to their home at a cost to their safety and comfort.
No Place Like Home: Home Modifications and Renovations for People with Disabilities or Other Long-Term Care Needs is specifically for modifying and renovating homes to make them more accessible, safe and comfortable. This book is designed for those who want to use a "barn-raising" approach to modifications and renovations so that materials are donated or reduced in price and much of the work is done by friends, family, neighbours and volunteers. Through step-by-step details, you learn how to find a contractor, work with volunteers and ask for donated materials - all to ensure an excellent renovation with minimum costs.
You do not have to be an expert contractor or carpenter to have your home modified or renovated. This book is designed to give you some basic information to help you choose and work with a contractor. The contractor may know most of the information to meet your specific needs but they may not know it all. Use this book to ask the contractor the questions you need answered to meet your specific circumstances.
If information is power, then this is a powerful book to help you fulfill your dream of having a home specially suited to you.
No Place Like Home: Home Modifications and Renovations for People with Disabilities or Other Long-Term Care Needs is specifically for modifying and renovating homes to make them more accessible, safe and comfortable. This book is designed for those who want to use a "barn-raising" approach to modifications and renovations so that materials are donated or reduced in price and much of the work is done by friends, family, neighbours and volunteers. Through step-by-step details, you learn how to find a contractor, work with volunteers and ask for donated materials - all to ensure an excellent renovation with minimum costs.
You do not have to be an expert contractor or carpenter to have your home modified or renovated. This book is designed to give you some basic information to help you choose and work with a contractor. The contractor may know most of the information to meet your specific needs but they may not know it all. Use this book to ask the contractor the questions you need answered to meet your specific circumstances.
If information is power, then this is a powerful book to help you fulfill your dream of having a home specially suited to you.
First an apology. This electronic book was produced in one day at the King's College 16th International Conference on Death and Bereavement. Because of the short time-frame there will be errors that were not caught in the editing and proofreading process. I apologize to the writers of this book for any unintentional errors. Please send me any corrections for a >revised edition= which I can make available to people through e-mail or on my web page.
The format of the book has been purposely kept very simple for easy conversion to whatever word-processing package people may use to read the book. The stories are alphabetical, by author's name.
The stories in this book look at spiritual aspects of care; views by professionals about their work; personal stories by spouses, parents, children and siblings; the importance of animals in people's lives; philosophical musings and so much more.
You are encouraged to read the stories and use them in your work. For example, you might use some of the stories in your newsletters, publications, teachings, or to help colleagues or clients understand a specific point about grief.
You are further encouraged to keep on writing your stories and sharing them with others. Through stories we come alive in our work and in our own grief. Using the Internet and other means, we can share our stories with colleagues, quickly all over the world.
Leo Tolstoy wrote that every time we write we should leave a bit of our blood in the ink pot. The stories in this book do exactly that. The stories are thoughtful, personal and a great testament to the importance of human relationships in all their many forms. I am grateful to have this collection of stories.
The format of the book has been purposely kept very simple for easy conversion to whatever word-processing package people may use to read the book. The stories are alphabetical, by author's name.
The stories in this book look at spiritual aspects of care; views by professionals about their work; personal stories by spouses, parents, children and siblings; the importance of animals in people's lives; philosophical musings and so much more.
You are encouraged to read the stories and use them in your work. For example, you might use some of the stories in your newsletters, publications, teachings, or to help colleagues or clients understand a specific point about grief.
You are further encouraged to keep on writing your stories and sharing them with others. Through stories we come alive in our work and in our own grief. Using the Internet and other means, we can share our stories with colleagues, quickly all over the world.
Leo Tolstoy wrote that every time we write we should leave a bit of our blood in the ink pot. The stories in this book do exactly that. The stories are thoughtful, personal and a great testament to the importance of human relationships in all their many forms. I am grateful to have this collection of stories.
A Person Journal is about examining your own beliefs, assumptions and behaviours. These things lead to one's own rules (and rules always sound preachy when they are written out or spoken aloud).
Harry van Bommel's goal is that this book helps you learn whatever it is you need to learn right now. Most of the thoughts expressed in this book are his own but, of course, they are not original. His thoughts come from experience but also from other people and from books, songs, music, films, and just the general abundance of learning materials out there.
We often hear that we have the answers inside us. Yet we keep going to other people's answers to find our own. Perhaps if we write our thoughts on different ideas every 5 years or so we will see how our ideas and, therefore, our bevhavior changes as well. If you allow other people to read your evolving wisdom, as well, then several people benefit from the learning.
TIP: After you have written out some of your own thoughts, give the journal to a dear friend and ask them to do the same on the same page. This a great way to deepen your friendship and understanding of each other.
What better place to collect successful hospice palliative care stories than at the preeminent international congress on care of the terminally ill held every two years in Montreal, Canada. World leaders come together to provide each other with the latest research and insights into care.
Fifteen hundred delegates from 40 countries spent five days sharing stories with each other and now a few selected examples are available to you. Learn from experts such as Dr. Balfour Mount (who coined the phrase palliative care decades ago), Dr. Michele Chaban, Nurse Lucie Adams, Rev. Ian R. Smith, Melanie Corbier and Janet Start, Dr. Colin J. Hartree, Social Worker Marie Mockava, Artist and art therapist Mona Ruttenberg, and Dr. Anna Towers.
Whatever the story, each has a tip, message or insight that will benefit you in your professional or volunteer career. Ultimately, their stories may lead you to record some of your own stories to share with your colleagues and those to whom you provide care.
Crimes are committed against vulnerable people; not typically against prepared people. Your body language, safety precautions at home and work, and the ability of your family to protect itself will tell you if you are vulnerable. The tips in this book can help you ensure that you and your family are not vulnerable. Different situations require different degrees of preparation. This book is designed to help you determine your response before situations arise.
Awareness of the surrounding area and people's activities around you are the most important aspect of assault prevention. TO help prevent or minimize your chances of being involved in an assault situation you can:
THINK about potentially dangerous situations
TALK about these situations with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
PLAN how you might react using your verbal and non-verbal skills plus physical techniques you feel comfortable using.
PRACTISE so that your mental reflexes are conditioned to respond rapidly and effectively. Your reaction time should be similar to how you would react if a child ran in front of your car.
Awareness of the surrounding area and people's activities around you are the most important aspect of assault prevention. TO help prevent or minimize your chances of being involved in an assault situation you can:
THINK about potentially dangerous situations
TALK about these situations with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
PLAN how you might react using your verbal and non-verbal skills plus physical techniques you feel comfortable using.
PRACTISE so that your mental reflexes are conditioned to respond rapidly and effectively. Your reaction time should be similar to how you would react if a child ran in front of your car.
This book is about ways to ensure some financial security, or even independence, for your:
1. financially dependent loved ones, or
2. your not-for-profit/charitable organization.
This book is an information guide, not an instruction manual. This book does not, nor is it intended to offer, legal, tax or financial advice. Use it to ask the appropriately qualified people the right questions that fit your specific situation.
This book is really two books in one. At first glance, families with financially dependent loved ones and not-for-profit and charitable organizations seem to have little in common but a closer look reveals that both are eager to secure some financial independence in the future. Both struggle with physical and mental exhaustion. Both try to balance daily demands and obligations with long-term financial planning. By giving financial and legal information to both audiences, we hope to satisfy a common need with enough flexibility to meet specific requirements.