Caring for a loved one can be both a profound honor and an emotional journey. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of caregiving, seeking support for burnout, or helping a child to understand the universal nature of care, the right book can offer guidance and solace.
We’ve curated a list of must-read books that delve into the challenges, joys, and societal importance of caregiving. Dive in to discover practical advice, moving stories, and fresh perspectives that honor the vital role caregiving plays in each of our lives.
Essential Books for Caregivers and Advocates
Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving by Allison J. Applebaum, PhD
As the founder of the only devoted Caregivers Clinic in the country, clinical psychologist Dr. Allison Applebaum is no stranger to the intensity of being an unpaid, untrained family caregiver. Stand By Me: A Guide to Navigating Modern, Meaningful Caregiving puts the practical tools and transformative support of the Caregivers Clinic in your hands, empowering you to provide your loved one with the best quality of life and care possible, while promoting your own wellbeing.
Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America by Kate Washington
Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America tells the story of Kate Washington’s struggle to care for her seriously ill husband, offering a revealing look at the role unpaid family caregivers play in a society that fails to provide them with structural support
A Kids Book About Long-Term Care by Jenny Abeling
What do you know about long-term care? The truth is, it’s something that will affect everyone in their lifetime, so it’s important we all know about it. Learn about what long-term care is, what it can look like, and be introduced to different types of long-term care work and workers. This book is meant to be read and shared-when we are informed and participate, people and communities thrive.
When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others by Elissa Strauss
In “When You Care,” Elissa Strauss dives into the social power and transcendent might of parenting and caregiving, and explores how exactly it was made invisible for soooooooo long. Through memoir and reporting, she attempts to untangle care from the patriarchy and envision a world in which we value care and women’s freedom and independence.
