The Caregiving Zone

By Peggy Flynn

Book Overview

".a unique opportunity to learn about caregiving from a true veteran and practitioner of the art." -Jon D. Kaiser, M.D., Physician and Author of Healing HIV

Coping with illness and dying is a challenge. How do we allocate resources? What are the rights and responsibilities of the sick and those tending them? Can the burdens of caregiving be blessings in disguise?

In The Caregiving Zone, Peggy Flynn, founder and director of The Good Death Institute, describes the everyday challenges of caregiving. She encourages us to think about illness and death as incontrovertible realities that can be anticipated and made less burdensome for everyone involved. "Death is hard, but it doesn't have to be hideous."

Using personal stories and reflections, Ms. Flynn illuminates life "in the Zone" with understanding and empathy. She suggests that individuals and families "take charge of the inevitable" by confronting their fears and preparing for illness and death before events overtake them. She envisions "a program designed for families or groups of friends who want to be proactive about the inevitable."

The Caregiving Zone illustrates how both giving and receiving care can provide opportunities and rewards in addition to burdens. Sometimes, with insight, information and compassion, the benefits can outweigh the costs.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595406491
• ISBN13: 9780595406494
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The challenges and gifts of caregiving

I purchased this book to get some understanding about a friend who is dying, so I could be of help in some way and also to know what to expect. The author, Peggy Flynn, shares all the knowledge and experience of her work with the sick and dying, which definitely was in sync with what I am experiencing with my friend. Since I had the opportunity to personally meet the author several years ago through another friend with a chronic illness, I found her to be a woman of wisdom, courage, compassion, wit, humor, and tough love, which all come across in the book. I was astounded at some of her stories, and found myself laughing out loud at times and also having occasional tears. I have recommended this book to others who have felt alone in their caregiving, and to friends who want to read about such a difficult subject to get more understanding and perspective.

from a very satisfied client

Hello. I have been HIV positive now for 25 years. Peggy Flynn, the author of this book, has been my guide, ally, friend and confidant for the last 15 years. I credit her with a great deal of my sanity and well being. Her synthesis of great heart and great mind, extraordinary practicality, clear and clean language, thirst for knowledge, vitality and calm are perfect for the exploration of dying.... and living. Since we all are or will be caregivers in one or several ways you owe it to yourself to find an ally.

To have had this when my parents died....

This is the book. This is the one you need when faced with taking care of elderly parents, terminally ill friends and loved ones, or, god forbid, looking at your own death and wanting to have a voice. This book is smart and humorous and serious and tough. But so is caregiving. Read this book. I wish I had read it before the end of my father's life especially, since he was determined to die at home.