21 Mistakes Caregivers Make & How to Avoid Them: Solutions and Strategies to Reduce Stress and Increase Happiness

Most of us are untrained in caring for a family member. Toni Gitles draws from her experience as a caregiver and caregiving consultant. Caregiving should be considered a life event like getting married, having children, establishing a career, and planning for retirement. Whether you are currently a caregiver or not, chances are you will likely be a caregiver someday. Even if you have planned carefully and have siblings, the reality is that one person has the burden of caregiving, which can be overwhelming. While every person's situation is different, the combination of frustration, stress, worry, and a steep learning curve is common. Caregiving, whether short-term or long-term, interferes with work and family commitments and relationships, forces you to rearrange priorities and leisure time, may cause financial hardship and can result in health issues and even death for the caregiver. Over 53 million people in the United States are caregiving ("Caregiving in the U.S. 2020" by AARP and The National Alliance for Caregiving). Everyone needs to prepare for and learn about the caregiving journey so that when the crisis occurs, whether you or a family member, a loved one is prepared to step in and advocate, support, and bring essential information to the situation. There is no reason to see life as over; you can still be happy and celebrate. In this book, you will learn 21 common mistakes caregivers make and the solutions and strategies that will save the family caregiver time, energy, and heartache. You will learn about principles and practices that will transform the caregiving journey into an experience of connection, confidence, and discovery. Mistakes include: Not having health information before a crisis Not cultivating a positive mindset about caregiving Not asking for help from family and friends Not creating a supportive community Not prioritizing self-care Putting happiness on hold Abandoning a spiritual or religious practice Undervaluing love in the relationship Caring for a parent, spouse, or family member may be the most difficult thing you do. The information in this book may be overwhelming at first. By accepting your circumstances, keeping a positive mindset, asking for help, taking one day at a time, and following the suggestions in this book, you can experience greater ease, less overwhelm and stress, and increased confidence and happiness in your caregiving journey. It is my hope that you will be open to receiving the help and support offered in this book.

About the Author :
With 40 years in the healthcare industry, personal development training, and caring for her mom for fourteen years, Toni Gitles is an expert in teaching people to be confident, supportive caregivers. Toni navigated physical, emotional, and mental stressors, learned many lessons through trial and error, and now shares principles and practices to transform the caregiving experience into a journey of connection, advocacy, and discovery.Caring for a family member is an act of love from the heart. However, you can lose touch with your heart connection to your care journey when the struggles and challenges outweigh the cherished moments and memories. Toni strives to keep love at the forefront by encouraging caregivers to embrace their role and thrive, helping them to avoid the pitfalls and roadblocks on the journey that may derail them from a meaningful experience.Toni is a Certified Caregiving ConsultantTM, Certified Caregiving EducatorTM, Support Group Facilitator, Happiness Trainer, and professional speaker. Her training and personal experience enable Toni to meet family caregivers where they are, whether their loved one's health issue is due to aging or a chronic or progressive disease. Toni gently guides caregivers by offering advice, resources, and a compassionate ear.Toni and her partner, Dennis Dulniak, locate restaurants willing to provide Dementia-friendly Dining. Additionally, owners of establishments reach out to Toni and Dennis after seeing them in the media. The pair train restaurant staff with information about dementia, situations they may encounter, and how to interact with family members and the person with dementia to create a pleasant and memorable experience for all of them. For Dementia-friendly Dining, the restaurant owner provides a quiet area and establishes specific days at off-peak times. Toni and Dennis also organize conferences with Elite Supported Travel on Holland America Cruise Lines for caregivers and their loved ones with dementia-related diseases.Toni's ultimate goal is to change the conversation in the United States about caregiving and people with disabilities. Medical personnel benefit by acknowledging family caregivers as knowledgeable support systems who help maintain their patient's health and well-being. All people need to be respected and understood. People who understand caregiving and common diseases that affect us encourage others to be more kind, compassionate, and helpful to families in their communities.An international speaker who contributed to three caregiving and lifestyle management books, Toni Gitles is the author of the new book 21 Mistakes Caregivers Make & How to Avoid Them: Solutions and Strategies to Reduce Stress and Increase Happiness, available September 2023.Toni is a competitive ballroom dancer in her free time and enjoys gardening and playing with her Maltese dog, Jasmine. She is a volunteer with the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), and in 2022, she received the Emerging Leadership Award from the Foundation.

Review :
Dedication Foreword Preface Introduction Part I - UNPREPARED FOR A HEALTH CRISIS Mistake # 1 Not Knowing Your New Title Is "Caregiver" Mistake # 2 Not Having the Health Information You Need Mistake # 3 Taking It All For Granted PART II - EVERYTHING CHANGES AND YOU DON'T Mistake # 4 Ignoring the Warning Signs Mistake # 5 Denial: This Can't Be Happening Mistake # 6 Deciding It Can Wait PART III - YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW Mistake # 7 Not Shifting Your Mindset Mistake # 8 Not Knowing Your New Responsibilities Mistake # 9 Not Speaking Up To Authority PART IV - YOU DON'T PRIORITIZE YOUR WELL-BEING Mistake # 10 Failure To Put Your Oxygen Mask On First Mistake # 11 You Don't Ask For Help Mistake # 12 You Miss Out On Resources - Didn't Google It PART V - INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS Mistake # 13 Not Knowing What Your Loved One Needs Mistake # 14 Not Finding Out How Others Can Help Mistake # 15 Settling For "Doctor-Speak" You Don't Understand PART VI - NOT PLANNING FOR AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE Mistake # 16 Not Having Legal Matters In Order Mistake # 17 Not Assessing Financial Information PART VII - DISMISSING HAPPINESS Mistake # 18 Not Celebrating With Your Loved One Mistake # 19 Putting Your Happiness On Hold Mistake # 20 Abandoning Your Religious Or Spiritual Practice Mistake # 21 Undervaluing Love In The Relationship Beyond Mistakes - Reflections YOUR 21 SUPERPOWERS FOR CAREGIVING RESOURCES TO GET YOU STARTED APPENDICES In-Case-Of-Emergency Go Bag Journaling The Six Stages Of Caregiving HIPAA Action Plan For Building Your Care Community(TM) Guidelines for Effective Conversations Preparation For A Doctor Visit Why You Don't Ask For Help Self-Care Action Plans Do Something Fun and Uplifting Acknowledgments About the Author