Patricia Bethune, who we all know as Jane Bodehouse on True Blood, is not only a talented actress but also co-author of a book that was published this week.
“What Can I Do? A Guide for Family and Friends of Caregivers” provides friends and family members ways to help the caregiver take care of his or herself in the process of caring for another.
According to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, 1 in 5 Americans will become caregivers this year and will serve up more than $350 billion in unpaid services. What Can I Do? shows friends and family of caregivers how to help this selfless, and often beleaguered, group keep their lives on track, their finances in order, their health from slipping and their spirits up while caring for others. Chapters on organization, communication, humor and grief are written with warmth in layman’s terms and peppered with real-life examples.
“Once you go through the caregiving process yourself, you have a bulk of information you may never use again that may be useful to others,” says Bethune.
Over a two year period, Patricia traveled across the country and the sea, to caregive to four loved ones through their passing. With a perspective that comes with time passing and helping others who are currently caregiving, Patricia volunteers her time to bring awareness to the needs of caregivers of the world. She is the spokesperson for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI), which shares evidenced-based caregiving knowledge and practices to caregiving agencies across the country.
Patricia produced a PSA to bring awareness to the needs of caregivers for the RCI. She also created Patricia Bethune Caring for Caregivers Facebook page where friend and fans can share their insights on how they help their friends and family who are caregivers.
source: press release
Wonderful Patricia. All the luck in the world with the book and to help promote this worthy cause.
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I wish this had been available to me when my husband was still alive. Maybe I could have done better by him.
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Shadaliza Reply:
March 2nd, 2011 at 4:56
I am sorry for you loss. It seems that too often caregivers don’t receive the support and appreciation that they deserve. One who hasn’t been a caregiver can’t understand how difficult it can be sometimes to dedicate yourself to another person in that way.
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This is a wonderful organization. I have been a caregiver for family members in various degrees. People do not realize how exhausting emotionally, mentally and physically it can be. If you know someone in that position reach out to them. You might just be the lifeline they need.
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