Contents -- Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Chapter 1 Attitudes of Aging -- Why This Matters -- Aging in America: Attitudes on Aging -- Myths and Facts -- Normal Aging -- Summary -- Chapter 2 Aging at Home -- Why This Matters -- Caregiving and Caregivers -- Attitudes on Caregiving -- The Caregiving Community at Home -- Home Care and Home Health Care -- The Home Care Industry -- The Eden Alternative at Home -- Summary -- Chapter 3 The Companion Home Care Provider -- Why This Matters -- The Companion -- Roles and Responsibilities -- E-mail Correspondence -- Emotions of Caring for Others -- Self-Care -- Summary -- Chapter 4 Interpersonal Skills and Communications -- Why This Matters -- Personal Skills -- Communication Skills -- Communicating With Family -- Conversation Skills -- Listening Skills -- Problem-Solving Skills -- Conflict-Resolution Skills -- Decision-Making Skills -- Observation Skills -- Summary -- Chapter 5 Common Conditions and Diseases of the Aging Body -- Why This Matters -- The Aging Body -- Alcoholism -- Alzheimer's Disease -- Arthritis -- Bedsores -- Cancer -- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) -- Constipation -- Continence -- Dementia -- Depression -- Diabetes -- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) -- Hearing Loss -- Heart Disease -- High Blood Pressure (HBP/Hypertension) -- Impaired and Loss of Vision -- Kidney Disorder (Renal Disease) -- Lung Disease -- Mental Health -- Osteoporosis -- Pain -- Parkinson's Disease -- Stroke (CVA/Cerebral Vascular Accident) -- Physicians and Specialists -- Summary -- Chapter 6 The Terminally Ill Client -- Why This Matters -- A Terminal Diagnosis -- Hospice Care -- Summary -- Chapter 7 Caring for Couples -- Why This Matters -- Caring for Couples -- Situations of Partner Care -- Emotions of Partners in Care -- Defining Couples -- Respite Care -- Summary -- Chapter 8 About Activities.

Why This Matters -- Doing Things -- Activities and Quality of Life -- Activities of Life and Activities of Recreation -- A Companion's Role in Activity Planning -- Be Prepared With Activities -- Activity Ideas -- Summary -- Chapter 9 Planning and Preparing Meals -- Why This Matters -- Nutrition, Eating, and the Aging Body -- Involving the Client in Meal Planning and Preparation -- Shopping for the Client -- Recipes -- Summary -- Chapter 10 Home Safety and Household Management -- Why This Matters -- Keeping the Home Safe -- Emergencies -- Telephone Contact -- Household Management -- Universal Design -- Summary -- Chapter 11 Legal Authority and Money Matters -- Why This Matters -- Decision Making and the Older Adult -- Legal Tools and Designations for Health Care Decision Making -- Money Matters: Medicare and Medicaid -- Summary -- Chapter 12 Planning for Placement -- Why This Matters -- Facilitating Long-Term-Care Planning -- Moving From Home -- Living Options and Alternatives -- Visiting and Evaluating Health Care Facilities -- The Companion's Role After Facility Placement -- Summary -- References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y.