Book Review - Compassionate Caregiving By Lois D. Knutson

Hands-on Guidebook for Caregiving

Lois D. Knutson offers workable solutions, tips, encouragement, and invaluable information important to family caregivers in her book "Compassionate Care giving". Knutson is sensitive to the spiritual nature and call of care giving and includes a scripture passage and prayer within each chapter specifically related to the material covered. The suggested affirmations, one for each day of the month were especially valuable for spiritual encouragement and for keeping a perspective on personal self worth.

Lois includes guidelines for nurture, spiritual and psychological, as well has suggestions for practical issues like equipment needed in the home, celebrating holidays, evaluating nursing homes, assisted-living, and other caregiving facilities.

I found insight into caregiving as a spiritual calling, a ministry. I personally found the chapters on how to deal with the death of a loved one important, comforting, and compassionate.

The book provides a comprehensive appendix which is filled with forms, a spiritual journey exercise, suggested Bible passages for caregivers, and a list of helpful web sites. The end notes listed by chapter give evidence of well documented, thorough, research. Lois Knutson is herself a caregiver. She has served as a hospital chaplain, is trained in geriatric pastoral care, and is a national speaker on older adult ministry.

"Compassionate Care giving" is an significant, valuable, and timely. This is an important resource tool for pastors, lay counselors, hospital chaplains, and seminary students. The book is written specifically for the family caregiver. This is a book to be read, read again, and passed along to other family members. Practical and Helpful.

Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Book Store Owner

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