Product Description

An inspirational and practical guide for family caregivers themselves – their health and their well-being – by the president and co-founder of the only charitable organization dedicated exclusively to making life better for family caregivers

"Family caregivers don’t go home at 5 or 6 o’clock. We are on duty 24 hours a day because this is something we care about," says author Suzanne Mintz. "Caregivers are literally underpinning the health care system. The value of the services we provide for ‘free’ is estimated to be $196 billion a year." But who helps them?

Much has been written about the caregiver’s role in helping an ill or disabled person, but little has been said about the caregiver – how to take care of yourself as you care for others. This "message to caregivers" from one of its most respected activists, addresses issues such as the impact of caregiving on caregivers, the four principles of Caregiver Self-Advocacy, and reaching out for help.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #940562 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"...a book about the choices and challenges facing family caregivers." -- Amarillo Globe-News, September 3, 2003

"Especially helpful are the appendices, which are designed as ‘tip sheets’ to provide information about personal, legal, and financial topics." -- Oncology Nursing Forum

"Mintz knows her subject: She's a caregiver and president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association." -- Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Mintz...is amazing. I can't imagine that this book would be anything less." -- Kelli M. Donley, Assisted Living Success Magazine

"My friend Suzanne Mintz has written this wonderful new book." -- Linda Dano, actress

Winner of the 2003 Caregiver Friendly Award, book category! -- Today's Caregiver Magazine

About the Author
Suzanne Mintz is the president and founder of The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), which is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of America's family caregivers. She is the author of The Resourceful Caregiver: Helping Family Caregivers Help Themselves.

NFCA was created in 1993 to educate, support, empower and advocate for the millions of Americans who care for their ill, aged or disabled loved ones. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. It is the only place that all caregivers can call "home."

Customer Reviews

A primer for families tending the ill and disabled
Love, Honor & Value (author: Suzanne Mintz) discusses in practical, often poignant terms, the problems faced by long-term caregivers. The books offers practical and sound advice for handling day-to-day problems, and includes sources of information and help for families coping with the physical, emotional and financial burdens of caregiving. The author, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregiving Association, is herself is caregiver to her beloved husband who has suffered with multiple sclerosis for 30 years. She writes with uncompromising candor and insight. As a former long-term caregiver myself, I recognize the wisdom and usefulness of this book and can recommend it without reservation. I wish it had been available during my 17 years of caregiving.

Perfect Resource for All Caregivers!
Suzanne Mintz has helped save my life, and I have never met her. I was at my wit's end caring for my ill mother and had no one to turn to. A friend gave me a copy of "Love, Honor, & Value" and I read it all in one night. Suzanne Mintz's advice and information has helped me take better care of my mother and myself.

If you are a caregiver or if you know one, please buy this book. You will be grateful you did.

Permission To Live ( while caring for an aging parent )
After reading Love, Honor, & Value I was struck by many things about this book. The first was the extraordinary personal story of Suzanne Geffen Mintz. (President of NFCA). Each chapter touched on something that I'm presently experiencing at different times of the days; months; years of caregiving my dear mother Petie.
While flying back to NYC two weeks ago I realized that something written in Chapter 4 was the true core of my situation. Suzanne said, If you lie down, no one will die. Isn't that what we are afraid of in our hearts?
For me, each time I get on a plane while dividing my life between New York and Michigan to care for mom, I pray that I will be with her when she dies. I'm smart enough to know that I could walk down the hall of the nursing home she lives in and that she could pass away then.
Each time I fly now I give myself permission (as Suzanne says) as a gift to care for myself and my husband who may be giving the greatest gift of love and sacrifice that I've ever seen. He shares me with mom and airplanes. Our sacrifice has lasted almost eight years but we believe in doing the right thing thing for Petie and ultimately for ourselves.
Thank you Suzanne for your gift of this book.