Cappy Capossela (1944–2002)

The book is great in that they provide a step by step process to start a group and move it along week by week. There’s a section on calling people to set up an initial meeting and request help. There’s a section on determining the patient’s needs. There’s multiple sections just covering the first meeting of the group, including getting everyone comfortable with the commitment, as well as sample forms and scripts for collecting information. It makes saying no to requests possible and makes that an explicit part of the organizing process.

The thing that I like most is that aside from the plan on what for caregiving, Caposella and Warnock make getting it all together seem possible. It makes the mountain, if not a molehill, into a much smaller mountain. There’s a very good map from A to B.

(Full review at my blog)… (més)

SHARE THE CARE
How to Organize a Group to Care for Someone Who is Seriously Ill
Cappy Capossela and Sheila Warnock

Whether you’re prepared for it or not, chances are you’ll take on the role of caregiver when a family member or friend is affected by a serious illness or injury, or when you find your elderly parent needs help. As you’ll soon discover, the range of tasks and responsibilities involved are overwhelming. Share The Care offers a sensible and loving solution: a unique group approach that can turn a circle of ordinary people into a powerful caregiving team. Share The Care shows you how to:
• Create a caregiver “family” from friends, real family members, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances
• Hold a meeting to organize your group, and introduce members to the Share The Care systems that guarantee every job will be done and no one person will have to do too much
• Discover the hidden talents within the group, make the most of their resources, cope with group issues, and stay together in the face of adversity
Included here a valuable guidelines, compassionate suggestions, and a simple-to-use workbook section that together offer support to free the patient from worry and the caregivers from burnout. Share The Care offers friends and family the best answer ever to the frequently asked question “What can I do?”… (més)