Videos

1. A Prescription for Caregivers, produced by Wendy Lustbader. Filmed in front of a live audience of caregivers, this presentation is packed with humor and stories from real life. Topics include: heeding resentment as a warning sign of doing too much, varieties of guilt, options for self-care, and figuring out how much care is enough. Available for $30.00 normally or $20.00 for readers of the National Caregiving Foundation Caregiver's Support Kit (Caregivers may call 1-800-930-1357 for free copy of Caregiver's Support Kit). Add $3.00 for shipping and handling for A Prescription for Caregivers and mail to Wendy Lustbader, 1917 25th Ave. East, Seattle, WA 98112, telephone: 425-462-5722 (not a toll-free call). We thought this presenter gave good advice, but the live workshop style may not be for everyone.

2. Educated Caregiver Video Series, Volumes 1, 2, and 3, created by Life View Resources, 1-800-395-5433 or www.lifeviewresources.com. Volume 1 is Coping Skills (getting support, being realistic, etc.), Volume 2 is Hands on Skills (bathing, dressing, safety, bed rest), Volume 3 is Essential Knowledge (medications, diet, prevention of infection, etc.). On the web site, click on the photo to go to a screen where you can preview video clips of these. This series is very reasonably priced and has won awards. You may also see these for sale on other web sites for caregivers, but this is the site of the company who developed them.

3. The Family Guide to Long Term Care Video Series, created by Life View Resources (see Educated Caregiver Series above). This set deals with making decisions regarding long term care, choosing an institution, and staying involved. Video previews are available on the web site. The videotapes can be purchased individually or as a series.

4. The Home Care Companion Resources for Caregivers Communication Series and Caregiving Series. These videotapes offer practical, hands-on advice for issues such as How To Communicate with Someone Who Has Aphasia (a communication problem after some strokes) and How to Communicate with Someone Who Has Alzheimer's Disease. The one on Alzheimer's Disease talks about non-verbal communication of love, about not arguing, about how to get someone to take a bath by singing, etc. The Caregiving Series covers topics such as Personal Care, Infection Control, How to Help Someone Who Uses a Wheelchair Without Hurting Yourself, How to Manage Medications, etc. These show the details of home nursing and are available from www.homecarecompanion.com. These videos, when taken as a whole with additional training materials, form the basis for this company's National Caregiver Training Program. They may be purchased separately. We found most of them in the Gulfport, Florida library (not sure about Personal Care ? it?s new).

5. Video Respite Series by Innovative Caregiving Resources, 1-800-249-5600 or www.videorespite.com. These tapes entertain Alzheimer's patients at home or in group settings so that caregivers can get a break. We saw clips of them being shown to Alzheimer's patients, who were talking to the "visitor," singing, and clapping. These tapes appear to effectively occupy Alzheimer's patients. Some of the titles are A Visit with Maria, a Kibitz with David, Remembering When, and Sharing Christmas Cheer. The tapes may be purchased individually, and this company also has created tapes to help caregivers facilitate exercise, relaxation, and cooperation. Note: This web site was off the Internet for construction when this book went to press, but it is supposed to be restored.

6. Video Respite Series, available at the Alzheimer's Store, found at www.alzstore.com. These video respite tapes include a fish tank scene, nature scenes with Handel's Water Music, sing-a-longs to the oldies, trips down memory lane to a zoo or a country store, etc. They should be enjoyable for caregivers as well as care receivers. These tapes may be purchased individually and may be available on other web sites.