Take Back Your Life: A Caregiver's Guide to Finding Freedom in the Midst of Overwhelm

You don’t know how much caregiving takes out of you until you’re right in midst of it, and about to collapse physically, emotionally, mentally, and often financially. This book tells exactly the way it is and offers ways to get yourself back above the feelings of helplessness to taking charge of yourself and your life again.

This book is a game-changer for caregivers. As a caregiver for my mother, I needed to be supportive and empathetic to my mom as well as my dad who was experiencing immense grief during the last months of my mother's illness. I felt guilty all the time because I wasn't spending enough time with my kids, I wasn't spending enough time with my mom and dad and I just was not taking care of myself. Bottom line, my life felt so out of control and the guilt was overwhelming. I was reminded of the fact that flight attendants stress that the caregiver needs to put on the oxygen mask first before taking care of a family member who needs assistance putting on the mask.The oxygen mask can be a survival tool if the unimaginable occurs in flight. This book is a survival guide for those experiencing the stress and pain during a stressful and challenging period when caring for a loved one. Thank you for reminding me that it is so important to care for myself so I am better able to care for my family.

My husband got me this book while I am caring for his mother with Alzheimer’s. I have a lot to do but I did start to read it and I’m sure it is very helpful from what I read.

Disliked that it assumes one reading the book is incapable of coping on any level... need a book written for intelligent professionals that might not be "care givers" by nature

Two friends are acting as caregivers for family members and expressed interest in the book

This book has helped me more than I can say. My husband and I care for my 91 year old mother, without help from my siblings. Thank you to the author for writing such an insightful (and well edited! ) book. All I can say is, if you are caring for someone of any age or relationship, just buy the book, and then work through it. So helpful with keeping me emotionally level, and enjoying MY OWN life. Wish I could give it more stars.

In Take Back Your Life, we're given a warm, reassuring and down to earth understanding that we are not walking the caregiver path alone.This is the sharing of a personal journey in a friendly conversational style, combined with well reasoned professional guides that will actually help you.An easy read, I've blazed through it with the comfort one would in reading a novel, and come away with insights and exercises that have helped clarify my own thoughts.If you are caring for a loved one and wonder where you will find the strength to be your best for them, AND yourself, this is a loving must read.

Gave this to my girlfriend who is taking care of her Mom, such as I. Tears were flowing as i read this. Inspired by this book.

The emphasis on taking care of your self as the caregiver is excellent advice. Loren goes on to provide examples of how to achieve this and ideas for support.