Nancy L. Kriseman's new book is an unusual and comprehensive guide to bringing 'mindfulness' to family caregiving, and well worth reading. ... The Mindful Caregiver is about so much more than paying attention to the needs of others. In fact, the central message of Kriseman’s book is that we, as family caregivers caring for a family member or friend, need to pay attention to own needs above all else. ... The Mindful Caregiver could be described not just as a meditation on mindfulness, but as a top-notch 'how to' book for caregivers. Her tips for finding a geriatric care manager, deciding on an elder care facility, or advocating for your loved one in the E.R., for example, seem comprehensive. As readers we benefit from Kriseman’s long career working with elders and their caregivers, and from her ability to write clearly and compassionately. ... [W]hat makes The Mindful Caregiver particularly compelling are the author’s descriptions of the challenges faced by some of her former clients. . . . I appreciated that Kriseman goes into detail for each scenario, offering us a road map if we find ourselves in similar situations. Many readers will see themselves and their families in these pages, and feel both reassured that they are not alone and empowered to put their own needs firsts.

Caregivers.com

If you are facing the need for caregiving in any manner this should be one of your first stops on the path. Be guided by those that have traveled this way before you.

Well Spouse Association

This is a book for caregivers, about how to make the caregiving journey easier and more meaningful for the caregiver, and hopefully better for the recipient of that care. . . .I think this book is very good and it is certainly down to earth and practical. I would be very comfortable recommending it to any caregiver seeking help with their role. Whilst it would be bread and butter for a social worker or an experienced palliative care nurse, I did wonder how your average caregiver would deal with it. It covers a lot of territory.

IAHPC Newsletter

This is an informative book using mindfulness and self awareness to ease the caregiver’s journey. [The Mindful Caregiver is] presented in an easy and insightful reading style. . . .The use of case studies throughout the book present pertinent issues, ideas and strategies . . . [which] help negate the feelings of isolation and loneliness. . . .I believe a caregiver reading this would find their spirits lifted and find their personal fear and guilt subsiding, for these reasons alone the book is worth reading. . . . While the book is uplifting and positive it doesn’t shirk from the realistic and in places honest picture of what it means to be a caregiver. . . .The resources, appendices and bibliography . . . are comprehensive and provide the reader with a starting point and include an excellent appendix on how to evaluate a website. . . .an excellent resource for carers. Its open writing style presents a non judgmental uplifting read with no expectations placed upon the reader. It can be read from cover to cover but provides useful chapters to dip back into at a later day or if requiring a therapeutic pick-me-up.

Nursing Times

This pioneering book reflects Nancy Kriseman’s years of experience, breakthrough insights, and cutting-edge knowledge. It is a true gift to caregivers.

Mary Erlanger, Ph.D., Geriatric Counselor/Professor

The Mindful Caregiver is a book that should be “required reading” for caregivers. Nancy Kriseman tells this story from the perspective of having been a caregiver herself, as well as her years of helping other caregivers. The mortality rate of the so called “well spouse” is unacceptably high; the high depression rate among caregivers also points to how caregivers often overlook their own needs. Nancy’s book offers excellent examples of how to be a mindful caregiver so that diseases, especially Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, do not have two victims: the person with the disease and the caregiver.

Joyce Simard, MSW, adjunct associate professor at University of Western Sydney, Australia; Geriatric Consultant; Professional Speaker; Author