THE SACRED ART OF CAREGIVING

About the Book

Few books have been written specifically for those dedicated men and women who labor as caregivers in our healthcare system. This is unusual when one considers that the services provided those needing medical care is largely their responsibility. This book is an educational resource which addresses the multi-faceted and often complex physical, psychological, social and spiritual issues which challenge the caregivers. The information contained in this text will be especially beneficial to these caregivers who provide direct, hands-on care to the elderly residing in special and long-term care facilities as well as home care. It will assist this specific group of caregiver with little or no formal training in the health care profession to participate more realistically in goal setting strategies, increase self-confidence, and improve their decision making skills. It will give them a greater sense of purpose and an improved sense of security in performing their caregiving responsibilities. It will also be helpful to the caregiver in his or her accumulating knowledge about the elderly resident. For example, he or she will become familiar with family structure, stressors which exist, coping skills, social support structures, physical, psychological, psychosocial and spiritual symptomatology as well as ethnic and cultural issues. The author is of the opinion that the information contained in this book will, in addition, increase the caregiver’s knowledge base. For example, it will include effective ways of communicating with the elderly for whom they are caring including the use of behavioral management improving the caregiver’s skill base making their jobs easier, and more productive. Such knowledge will improve their quality of life as well as the individual resident for whom they are responsible.

About the Author

Dr. Ramage is a native of Mississippi and received his education in Southern Schools and Universities. He received his professional degrees and training from the Universities of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi, North Carolina and Walden after receiving his undergraduate degrees from Itawamba Community College and Delta State University. Dr. Ramage is a Board Certified Fellow and Diplomate in Medical Psychotherapy and is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. He also holds a Graduate Degree in Behavioral Psychology and practices as a behavioral therapist and consultant. He has extensive professional experience with programs for the elderly and their families serving the older population throughout the Southeast. Dr. Ramage has developed policy and behavioral intervention strategies for nursing home practitioners, administrators, educators and researchers in the area of dementia, Alzheimer’s, behavioral and mental health issues in the elderly. He has published numerous articles on mental health issues in professional journals and has previously authored two books, “Creating Therapeutic Activity Plans in Long Term Care Facilities: The Basic Principles”, and “A Caregiver’s Training Manual for the Elderly.” He was awarded an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Christian Humanities (D.C.H.) from Cambridge Theological Seminary for his contributions in serving the elderly and more specifically his research in the areas of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Ramage resides with his wife, Margaret, in Northport, Alabama, where he maintains a private practice.