Lessons from a Disabled Caregiver

The late William G. Reed was recognized for his accomplishments in engineering, sales, business development, and general management roles for large corporations, including GE. He formed his own consulting company, managing major projects for large corporations and investing in start-up companies. He lived in Phoenix, Arizona.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Marwan Noel Sabbagh, M.D.PrefaceIntroductionSection One—Life Forever Changed1. Recognition and Diagnosis2. Dealing with GriefSection Two—Acceptance and Adaptation3. Family, Social and Religious Support4. Stay Healthy, Maintain Your Strength5. Build Your Essential Help NetworkSection Three—Safe Personal Mobility Solutions6. Initial Solutions7. Rolling Walker8. Motorized Scooter9. Acquiring a Wheelchair10. The Consequences of Wheelchair Use11. Dealing with House Level ChangesSection Four—Independent Life12. How to Prepare for Emergencies13. Stand and Transfer Safely14. Handicap Toilet Progression15. Showering Safely16. Food and Shopping17. Solutions to Daily IssuesSection Five—Vehicle Mobility18. Vehicle Adaptation for a Motorized Scooter19. Public TransportSection Six—Learning to Drive with Handicaps20. Don’t Assume You Can’t; Most Can21. Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS®)22. Vehicle Modification and Selection23. Controls Installation CA: It Shouldn’t Be This Hard!24. Controls Installation AZ: Will the Problems Never End?!25. Training, DMV and InsuranceSection Seven—Caregiving from a Wheelchair26. Caregiving Introduction27. Caregiving at Home: Before the Crisis28. Potential Solutions29. The Crisis: Big Problems, Out of Answers30. Senior Living Decision Rationale31. The Challenges of Moving to Senior Living32. Initial Accommodations, Serious Threats33. Social Integration34. Jodie’s Successful Adaptation, Unexpected Positives35. Final Update and ClosingEpilogueAppendix I: Senior Living Care OptionsAppendix II: ­Long-Term Care InsuranceAppendix III: Documents Your Heirs Will NeedAppendix IV: Ready Document Access Is a MustAcknowledgmentsChapter NotesBibliographyIndex

“Essential reading for all caregivers. As a University professor of Kinesiology for 26 years and specializing in physical activities for persons with disabilities, I found this book extremely helpful for anyone dealing with the practical and financial aspects of caregiving. Different stages throughout life are considered including adjusting and adapting to the changes psychological and physical which will occur. Positive, upbeat information is easy to understand not just for medical professionals.”—Lorraine E. Bloomquist, Ed.D. FACSM Prof. Dept. Kinesiology, URI, (ret.)