Carter is more than qualified to write about the issue of caregiving.
In this comprehensive book that explores a wide array of issues regarding caregiving, Carter incorporates the diverse perspectives of individuals who are involved in the caregiving process: psychologists, patients, formal and informal caregivers. Her presentation of the perspectives of research specialists such as Dr. Carolyn L. Lindgren hones in on the specific components of the caregiving process. For example, Dr. Lindgren's model of the different stages of the caregivers' experienceùthe encounter stage, the enduring stage and the exit stage--draws together the experiences of individual caregivers. Although individual caregivers respond differently to their situation, they can all identify with the range of emotions and the difficulties highlighted in this model (Carter 10-12). Furthermore, such models allow readers who are caregivers to know that they are not alone in their experience. Contrary to their sense of loneliness and isolation, their emotions are experienced by many others who confront similar situations.
By presenting the point of view of patients, Carter builds an important bridge of communication between patients and their caregivers. In her depiction of the patients' experience, she reveals the patients' diverse fears including their fear of dependency and isolation. These fears often create barriers between the patients and the caregivers. Conflicts often occur because caregivers do not realize that when the patients lash out at them, they do so out of fear rather than malice. Therefore, it is important for caregivers and patients to maintain an open line of communication in order to resolve tensions that have arisen due to misunderstanding (Carter 74-76).
Although these perspectives are informative, the personal accounts of the experiences of informal caregivers best encapsulate the poignancy and the challenge of the process of car...