Toolkit ForCaregivers
Tips, skills, and wisdom to maximize your time together
Learn with me the proven tips, skills and knowledge to become a confident and efficient caregiver for your ill loved one without feeling overwhelmed. Dive deep into actionable strategies and gain invaluable resources to navigate the caregiving journey with grace. This book includes tools, practical advice, and engaging exercises from the perspective of someone who has worn the shoes of both a family caregiver and a healthcare professional. It’s your go-to guide when you need emotional support and supplemental help to be prepared for every twist and turn of the journey ahead!
It’s Time to put an end to Caregiver Burnout!
Hello, Fellow Overwhelmed Caregiver
I know where you’re at right now. You’re tirelessly juggling the needs of your loved one, perhaps feeling like you’re navigating through a dark room with no map, let alone light. You’re on call 24/7, facing physical and emotional exhaustion, and the weight of responsibility feels crushing.
But you’re not alone. Many caregivers like you are facing similar struggles, feeling unprepared and overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving. The constant worry, the lack of personal time, and the emotional toll are taking their toll on your well-being.
The thing about caregiving is…
… that often, this role comes with almost no training. Sometimes, you feel desperate for support or feel alone and need someone to talk to, and at the moment, you wish you had a proven roadmap to navigate the “new norm” of caring for your sick loved one.
Just in a few seconds…I’m about to share something that has helped thousands of caregivers like yourself gain courage, strength and confidence to take on the caregiver role and be prepared head-on.
But first, let me introduce myself…
Hi, I'mDeidre Edwards!
I’m a former RN and a high school Health Sciences teacher who has walked the challenging path of caregiving firsthand. It was during my journey as a caregiver to my husband, who was bedridden for 2 years under hospice care. At that moment, I realized the dire need for a go-to caregiver guide to survive life’s greatest journeys. Since I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles caregivers face, my own experience inspired me to teach other caregivers in similar spots like mine the proven way to tackle caregiving challenges, the do’s and don’ts and a step-by-step guide to support this essential and ever-expanding role.
My experiences have taught me invaluable insights and strategies that have not only taken the burden of caregiving off my shoulders but have also empowered many family caregivers facing similar challenges. And…I have shared all of them in my book “Toolkit For Caregivers.”
With this book, I aim to offer practical guidance and emotional support to caregivers like you so they don’t feel overwhelmed, nourish their inner selves, and prepare for the future.
And..now I want to share this lifelong learning with you so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel!
With the wisdom gained from both my personal experience and professional expertise, I’d love you to join me on a journey to navigate the caregiver role with confidence!
TESTIMONIALS
In her book Toolkit for Caregivers, Deidre Edwards offers a compass to caregivers to help them navigate through the web of assisting a loved one “whose world has shrunk to the size of a bed.” This book is not only Deidre’s story, it is the story of everyone who finds herself or himself thrust into the role of primary caregiver. It speaks to preparing a healthy physical environment, common sense tips on safely negotiating daily patient routines, organizational tips for caregiving, making the best of home visits, and finally planning for socialization within the confines of the home.
As an added bonus, Edwards attaches her book Love Lives Here which is laden with information and resources for preparing for the inevitable—death. Whether it is our own or a spouse of many years, she offers us a step-by-step preparation checklist so we are not blindsided when the time comes. She urges us to “have the conversation” so that both spouses are prepared to enact the other’s wishes. Edwards speaks frankly to her readers to remind them of advanced directives, power of attorney, wills, etc. The business side of dying is often overwhelming for the survivor. Edwards makes us take notice. This book-combo is a gentle, yet authoritative look at the before, during, and after fundamentals of sharing end-of-life with someone. Both books are ones of hope and survival, written expertly by a woman who has lived through it and is anxious to share her knowledge with others.
If you find yourself taking on the role of a caregiver, this is the comprehensive resource you need. This book combines two invaluable guides into one, equipping you with the knowledge and support to navigate the complex challenges of caregiving that can easily become overwhelming.
"Toolkit for Caregivers" will quickly become your indispensable companion, offering guidance on essential caregiving aspects such as creating a suitable caregiving environment and providing patient care skills that are accessible and understandable for family members. Discover practical tips, tricks, and hacks to enhance the comfort of your loved one at home and boost your confidence as a caregiver. Moreover, the book directs you to valuable resources for obtaining additional assistance and offers advice on personal coping strategies to address the unique concerns faced by caregivers.
In addition to all of that, it also provides a compassionate roadmap through various important stages. It emphasizes the significance of open and loving conversations when navigating family life transitions, accompanied by helpful talking points. The book prepares you for the emotional challenges surrounding death and dying, offering proactive steps to ease the process. You'll find guidance on post-funeral matters with a practical checklist, insights into managing the distinct grief experienced by caregivers, and opportunities for personal growth as you adjust to your new reality.
Author Deidre Edwards, RN, combines her professional nursing expertise and personal experiences to offer invaluable insights and proven skills. From basic caregiving techniques to end-of-life planning, caregiver stress management, attending to the needs of the dying, and coping with loss and grief, this guide covers it all within a single, comprehensive book.
After nursing 20 years in the acute care setting, building a Palliative Care program in two critical care units and leaning deeply into the terminal diagnosis of several amazing family members, I have scaled the peaks of beating the disease as well as traversed the vast landscape of caring for the dying by celebrating and honoring how they define is the best way to live. This was to leave the chaos of the hospital and come home. Deidre's brilliant caregiving book not only highlights the tips/tricks/tasks to ease caring for your beloved husband, or grandparent or daughter...but the self care necessary to facilitate the caregiver's soul to recharge and not just endure the difficult days, but to thrive in giving your absolute best to your loved one. And I have shared the magic of Cetaphil facial cleanser with families-no spoiler alert here-but you will have many ah-ha moments during this vital read!! The business side of dying should be offered to every single family when a chronic and terminal illness has been diagnosed. I have heard tragic stories from widows about not just the loss of their beloved but the nightmares of finances after the funeral. Deidre shares the finer points that ease the transition and revealed uncommon knowledge reserved the after care, yet many silently suffer. I am so grateful to donate her amazing books to my church where it is offered to families who are care takers and my hospital has dispersed it to the case management/giftshop and Home Health/Hospice. Show your family how much you love them if you are heading towards this benevolent arena by using this book to share the practical, the loving and the tender ways to demonstrate agape love. God bless, Dawn B. Smith, RN
This Is for You If:
- You're exhausted from the constant stress of caregiving and looking for support to lighten the load.
- You’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of providing the best care for your loved one.
- You’re still figuring out practical solutions to make your journey smoother.
- You're struggling to strike the balance between caregiving and your personal life.
- You're facing emotional challenges of caregiving and looking for proven coping techniques.
- You're new to the role of caregiver and not sure where and how to start.
Being a family caregiver isn’t easy
Often, this role comes all of a sudden with little to no training, little warning and minimal support from the healthcare team. It might make you feel overwhelmed and overworked even before you step on the journey. And once you step in, your world is forever changed, especially when you struggle to adjust to the new norm of caring for your sick loved one. It’s a fact that only family caregivers deliver most patient care during any serious illness, but surprisingly, not much is done to support this ever-expanding role.
And..with this book, I aim to change this.
Work With Deidre
Deidre will speak to your group about meeting the challenges of caregiving, discovering ways to increase mindfulness and relaxation, or finding pathways to positive living.
What Can I Do For You
Deidre Edwards is known for her insightful approach to navigate the emotional & physical challenges most caregivers face today and battle-tested practical solutions to ease the journey of caring for an ill loved one!
Speaking
Deidre Edwards is known for her original, thought-provoking and insightful views on business problems we face today and strategies to win in the future.
Programs & Trainings
Deidre Edwards is known for her original, thought-provoking and insightful views on business problems we face today and strategies to win in the future.
Workshops & Events
Deidre Edwards is known for her original, thought-provoking and insightful views on business problems we face today and strategies to win in the future.
Deidre’s Podcast Appearances
Deidre’s podcast is for every family caregiver seeking support, guidance and inspiration to navigate the caregiving journey from the perspective of someone who has walked the path herself!
Listen Now:
When the burdens of caring for their loved ones almost reached a breaking point, they leaned on one another for support and encouragement—and pushed forward together.
Each of my books comes with free downloadable resources to enhance reader’s understanding and mastery of skills.
What's On My Mind
Explore my blog, foodtalk4you for top strategies, insightful articles, and inspiring ideas to improve the entire you – not just what you eat. There are explorations in food for the body, mind, and spirit.