New book addresses emotional needs of spousal caregivers
SPRING HILL, Fla. (MMD Newswire) May 20, 2009 -- The Tough and Tender Caregiver: A Handbook for the Well Spouse by David A. Travland, Ph.D. and Rhonda Travland strives to empower caregivers of chronically ill and/or disabled partners with the knowledge and sophistication to take better care of their own needs and thereby take better care of their spouses.
In The Tough and Tender Caregiver, the authors attempt to provide readers with a unique understanding of how relationships work. "The brain has a mind of its own and keeps track of the exchange of social credits with an internal ledger," Dr. Travland says. "Caregivers invest more than they can possibly get back from their spouses, so their internal ledger is perpetually out of balance. Therefore, they feel owed, and their interpersonal and intimacy needs are not being met, which leads to poor mental and physical health."
Furthermore, the authors seek to confront the wisdom of society's advice to caregivers and debunk common misconceptions in an effort to teach caregivers how to avoid social isolation, fend off pressures to be a martyr, handle the irrational expectations of extended family and friends and find a helpful support group.
Having collectively been well spouses for more than two decades, the authors discovered how to cope with the demands of care giving. "We were both professionals yet still could not find the right advice or support when met with the challenge of caring for our spouses," Dr. Travland says. "Through our experience, we found ways to survive, and it is our hope to pass along those lessons to other spousal caregivers."
For more information or to request a free review copy, members of the press can contact the author at travland@sickpartner.com. The Tough and Tender Caregiver: A Handbook for the Well Spouse is available for sale online at Amazon.com, BookSurge.com and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.
About the Authors
David Travland holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Iowa and completed a clinical internship at Yale University. For 30 years, he practiced as a psychotherapist and marriage counselor in Charlotte, N.C. and was a caregiver to a totally disabled spouse for 10 years. Rhonda Travland holds a degree in gerontology, is a master's degree candidate in human services and is a former nursing home administrator. She cared for a husband with early onset dementia for over 10 years. Together they founded the Caregiver Survival Institute and have strong ties to the Well Spouse Association.
MEDIA CONTACT:
David A. Travland, Ph.D. and Rhonda Travland
Phone: (352) 232-7032
E-mail: travland@sickpartner.com
Website: www.sickpartner.com
REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE
###
The views and opinions expressed in this press release do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of BookSurge or its affiliates.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
