chronic disease

Caregiving can be enormously challenging, terrifically rewarding, and potentially draining. Caregivers often wonder how they will navigate the tumultuous waters of caregiving and not lose themselves completely. The Mindful Caregiver highlights two major approaches to help transform the journey: adopting a practice of mindfulness, which helps caregivers become more self-aware and fully present with the person with whom they are caring, and honoring ?the spirit-side? of caregiving which offers new ways of connecting to one another. These approaches take into account not just the needs of the care recipient, but also the needs of the caregiver and other people in his/her life.

Presents a history of chronic illness in America, looking at patient rights, the role of social media in medical advocacy, the origins of attitudes about chronic illness, and more.

Reveals the startling factors that deny patients with chronic pain the relief they need, discussing how insurance companies, doctor misconceptions, and fears of painkillers prevent patients from getting the right treatment.

Discusses ways that chronic abuse of both legal and illicit drugs can damage a person's health.