FROM THE FIELD
It is estimated that, complementing the thousands of professional nurses and carers, there are
up to 150,000 people caring for people in their homes and the Helping You to Care handbook is a practical, fully illustrated guide to assist carers to provide the best quality of care possible.Many of those looking after relatives or friends are catapulted into becoming carers overnight following an accident or an illness of a loved one. This handbook sets out, in a step by step way,
how best to carry out daily activities such as communication, personal hygiene, nutrition and mobility. Mr David Andrews said that, as Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, he was very proud to
be associated with this handbook as it highlights the essence of what the Red Cross movement was about - practical, effective and essential assistance for those in need."In producing
the handbook we appreciate that those caring for people who are sick or injured don't have the time to sit down and read through a large book to find the information that is relevant to them.So Helping You to Care is divided into Â'easy to find' chapters covering the essential issues. It includes comprehensive advice on all aspects of caring and will be useful to everybody, in
particular parents, family carers and those working in the caring profession," Mr. Andrews said.Helping You to Care has valuable and unique advice from professionals working in
healthcare, public health, caring, finance and law.It includes information on Being a Carer, Personal Care Skills, Infectious Diseases, Healthy Eating & Drinking, Maintaining &
Improving Mobility, Leaving Hospital, Adapting the Home, Hospital Outpatient Treatments, Towards the End of Life, Making a Will, Care Professionals and What They Do, Glossary of Medical Conditions and
Understanding Emotions.Ms Mary McAleese, President of Ireland and President of the Irish Red Cross applauded everyone who helped in the publication of the handbook, which she said would
make a tangible contribution to the improvement of the lives of so many."I am confident it will be an essential source of information and a major contribution to the work of carers for
a long time to come," President McAleese said in a message published in the handbook.Anyone who is in a caring role, or who has to care for themselves alone or without constant
assistance, should get this book. Its easy-to-read format means that an individual can dip in quickly for basic advice on the best approach to dealing with almost any problem.Ms Teresa Mc
Cluskey, Director of Nursing, the Hermitage Medical Clinic, said in her review of the handbook (enclosed) that there was a big demand for caring services today as the demographics of our society have
changed and, thanks to the assistance of well trained carers, our loved ones can enjoy living in their own homes with the dignity and love they deserve."Using the Helping you to Care
Handbook, carers can competently look after an elderly parent, sick child or friend at home, knowing all the community supports and voluntary organisations available to support them," she said.The Helping You to Care Handbook costs €14.99 and will be available from the Irish Red Cross at Locall 1850 650 651 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. Eason's and bookshops nationwide
will also distribute and retail the handbook throughout the country.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]