Introducing ‘Because I Love You: My Book About Me’
I’m thrilled to extend a warm invitation to embark on a journey of compassion – amplified by empowerment through preparation. I recently dusted off a document I use with all of my life-care planning clients here at Caregiver Support and Resources, LLC in Clearwater, FL. It’s called “Because I Love You: My Book About Me.” It’s available right here on this website for FREE as a downloadable e-book!
This book is more than a resource. It’s a heartfelt testament to the beautiful journey of caregiving – or care partnering, as we prefer to call it – rooted in both professional expertise and personal experience.
When you click the link to download, you’ll notice a collection of documents that chronicle and organize LITERALLY EVERYTHING from medications and doctor visits to estate plans and end-of-life wishes. You see, that’s the crux of a truly compassionate aging journey – for the care recipient and the care partner, in good health or bad – in which decisions are already made to address:
- Uncertainty where to begin
- Unexpected emergencies
- Conflict & rivalry among family & friends
- Powerful emotions of aging & end-of-life
- & More
Planning for the Beautiful Journey: A Life Worth Living
With nearly three decades of experience in life-care planning, I’m deeply passionate about guiding individuals and families toward a life worth living.
From professional experience, this e-book helps individuals and care partner teams to spell out current aging and health care realities while planning for an untold future. From personal experience, it’s a way for elders to lovingly guide their own aging process by leaving a roadmap for their desired care.
No ambiguity. No fights. No resentment. Just a clear path toward enjoying life’s “Golden Years” ON YOUR TERMS!
Which brings us to the inspiration for this book.
The Genesis of ‘A Book About Me’
It’s been a wild and wonderful journey as a care partner to my life partner, Brian LeBlanc, who bravely lives with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. He has profoundly shaped my understanding of the daily realities individuals and their care partners navigate. I thought I had “seen it all” in decades of professional work. But until you’re in it, you just don’t know.
Brian’s foresight in recording a video titled “A Message To My Future Care Partners” inspired me to create this book, ensuring that families advocate for care tailored to their loved one’s wishes. He was so aware and cognizant back then. He knew a day just like today would come, when his dementia would prevent him from managing his own care.
What better way than to record a video to provide personal preferences in ways that can’t be disputed or misunderstood? What better way to begin the painful process of saying goodbye?
How This Book Works
Through four carefully crafted steps, we will navigate the complexities of planning for both the anticipated and unforeseen aspects of caregiving.
Step 1: Let’s Get to Know Each Other
In this foundational step, we build mutual understanding and trust. We gather essential information, including medical history, care partner contact details, legal documents, and personal preferences. Our goal is to keep decision-making in your hands as long as possible, ensuring that your unique identity is honored beyond your diagnosis.
Step 2: Tools for Living Your Best Life
Here we explore what brings you joy and purpose, leveraging our vast network of resources to support your hobbies, interests and spiritual needs. Whether it’s participating in clinical trials, advocating for others, or exploring old/new passions, we’re here to empower you every step of the way.
Step 3: Taking Care of Those Who Take Care of Us
Our primary care partners are the unsung heroes of the caregiving journey. They deserve support, time off and resources. In this step, we will focus on providing care partners with the tools and resources they need to sustain caregiving with compassion and resilience.
Step 4: Final Stages Planning
As we approach the final stages of life, it’s essential to ensure your wishes are honored with dignity and respect. This step creates a personalized plan for safe and proper care, end-of-life arrangements, and emotional support for both you and your care-partner team.
‘Because I Love You: My Book About Me’
Download this e-book to prepare a transformative journey of caregiving, advocacy and love. Together, we will build a plan for a life worth living. At Caregiver Support and Resources, LLC, our mission is to build a dedicated care-partner team, smooth the road ahead, fill potential potholes that might lead to crises, and ease the challenges that await us.
I hope this book helps. Click the link in the sidebar to download your FREE copy.
