AIDS Care at Home: A Guide for Caregivers, Loved Ones, and People with AIDS

by Judith Greif

Overview

An indispensable guide to every aspect of at-home care This thoroughly practical guide details the daily routines and unique concerns that are essential to quality at-home care of people with AIDS. From setting up a safe and comfortable environment to making medical and legal choices and solving emotional problems, each vital issue is covered in depth. Every caregiver and person with AIDS will benefit from this supportive, comprehensive resource.
* Detailed information on protecting against infection
* Concise instructions for both ambulatory and bedridden patients
* How to administer intravenous feedings and medication
* Appendices covering lab tests, alternative therapies, and the latest experimental drugs
* The differences between caring for men and women with AIDS
* Tips for caregivers on maintaining their own health and well-being
This information-packed reference is invaluable for caregivers and people with AIDS who must care for themselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620459553
Publisher:	Trade Paper Press
Publication date:	04/01/1994
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

JUDITH GREIF, M.S., R.N.C., F.N.P., is a family nurse practitioner at Rutgers University Student Health Center and coauthor of The No-Hysterectomy Option. BETH ANN GOLDEN, M.S.N., R.N.C., A.N.P., is a clinical nurse specialist at Broward General Hospital in Boca Raton, Florida. Both authors specialize in the care and treatment of people with AIDS.

Table of Contents

Partial table of contents:
WHAT IS AIDS?.
Understanding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
GETTING ORGANIZED.
Setting Up a Safe and Comfortable Environment.
Maintaining the PWA's Lifestyle.
MANAGING SYMPTOMS.
Checking for Signs and Symptoms of Illness.
Pain.
Hair Care.
The Eyes.
Diabetes.
Sexuality and Safe Sex.
Chemotherapy and Radiation.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES.
The Emotional Toll on the PWA.
Death and Dying.
Appendices.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
Index.

Editorial Reviews

AIDS has infected more than 700,000 people worldwide. And another 13 million are believed to be infected with the virus. Greif and Golden, both nurse practitioners and HIV/AIDS counselors, have written a clear and concise guide for adults with AIDS and their caregivers. The information given here is as practical as a nurse's starched white uniform. The book opens with a brief overview of the disease, complete with the history of its spread and the ways in which HIV assaults immune systems and societies. Routine lab tests, treatments and alternative therapies are also explained. The body of the work, however, is much more specific, offering pragmatic techniques for living with AIDS day-to-day; protection against opportunistic infections is stressed, and the book is organized around specific subjects (such as dental care and how to change a dressing) and symptoms. ``Mundane'' matters like how to prepare high-calorie foods, do laundry, take care of pets, deal with sexuality and give an injection are just a few of the other topics covered. Each section of the book begins with an account told by a PWA or a caregiver describing his or her experiences. The psychological and social issues of AIDS are also examined. This book is an invaluable tool to anyone undertaking the monumental task of wrestling with the terrible challenges of living with AIDS. (June)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

As the number of AIDS cases increases, more people face the task of caring for a friend or family member with this disease. This book by two nurse practitioners specializing in AIDS care provides practical information for setting up a comfortable, safe home-care environment. They discuss protecting both the patient and caregiver from infection; caring for ambulatory and bedridden patients; giving medications, including intravenous feedings; and maintaining the mental and physical health of the caregiver. They explain proper methods of moving patients and discuss the ethical and legal aspects of living wills, power of attorney, and assisted suicide. A glossary and appendixes provide information on terminology, referral resources, and adjunct therapies. This is an extremely useful book for those caring for people with AIDS or other terminal illnesses. Highly recommended for consumer health and health science collections.-Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.

Library Journal