Being a caregiver is hard and fulfilling work. But, with every responsibility comes some stress, and we’ve noticed that some caregivers have problems de-stressing and taking care of themselves. A great way to destress is by reading, so we’ve compiled a list of great books to read while you’re caregiving in 2022!

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast

This is one of the best books for caregivers and anyone with parents for that matter.

At some point, we must all come face to face with the reality that our elderly parents will pass away and have to undergo hospice care.

This is a poignant book about one woman’s experience facing that reality.

A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents – and Ourselves, by Jane Gross

This book deals with Jane’s journey into caregiving for her elderly mother.

She shares her story (and all the difficulty) of finding the best medical and assisted living care for her mother.

This book is chockfull of useful tips and advice for all caregivers.

The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook — Martha Davis, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, and Matthew McKay

There are four types of caregivers, including family caregivers, in-home hospice caregivers, adult daycare givers, and non-medical caregivers.

All of these types of caregivers can benefit from this award-winning handbook that teaches powerful ways of relaxing.

Man or woman, young or older adult, this is one of the best books for caregivers to help them relax.

My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver by Martin J. Schreiber

A caregiver’s job never stops. In fact, although some day caregivers might go home before nighttime, overnight caregivers are available to help aid elderly residents in using the bathroom, making sure they don’t wander off due to confusion, and even administer nightly medication.

One such illness that can require overnight caregivers is Alzheimer’s, which this book provides a deep insight to.

Schreiber describes the journey of caring for his elderly wife, and how he learned to cope with her Alzheimer’s in this touching memoir.

Kick-Ass Kinda Girl: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Caregiving by Kathi Koll

It’s just our elderly parents that need caregiving. Kathi Koll shares the story of caregiving for her husband, Don, after he suffers a massive stroke, and goes deep into sharing her love, struggles, and journey acting as a caregiver for her husband.

This is a story that reminds us how precious life is, and how the love we share with our family remains.

Family Life by Akhil Sharma

This mostly autobiographical account shares the experience of an immigrant family from India.

The cultural differences they must face, the story of how one brother must care for the other after an accident, and growing up in New York makes for an award-winning novel!

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

As a caregiver, it’s never a bad idea to seek the help from a therapist to help you deal with emotional issues and burnout.

This is one of the best books for caregivers to give them insight on the life of their therapists!

They’re Your Parents, Too! How Siblings Can Survive Their Parents’ Aging Without Driving Each Other Crazy, by Francine Russo

Veteran journalist Francine Russo shares her story about transitioning into being a caregiver along with her siblings.

This is a struggle that many caregivers might face, so this is a great book to find advice on navigating sibling rivalry and the difficulty that comes with caring for aging parents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers: 101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice, and Bonding, by Joan Lunden and Amy Newmark

Chicken Soup for the Soul is a classic collection of books and stories that are sure to tug at heartstrings.

This collection is one of encouraging and powerful stories about caregiving for family members, and even stories from those in end-of-life care.

It’s as full of laughs as it is full of tears.

Reading for Relaxation and Encouragement

Whether you plan on caregiving for the rest of your senior’s life or only for a short while, it’s never too early to look into finding a senior community.

Our senior advisors are eager to help you find the perfect senior community!