Author Name:
Aaron Blight, Ed. D.
Book Title:
When Caregiving Calls: Guidance as You Care for a Parent, Spouse, or Aging Relative
Website URL:
http://caregivingkinetics.com/
Link to book page on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/When-Caregiving-Calls-Guidance-Relative/dp/1733914145/
Social Media Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronblight/
https://twitter.com/aaronblight
https://www.quora.com/profile/Aaron-Blight-1
What is your book about?
My book helps families deal with the many complex and often unexpected challenges they discover as they seek to care for aging loved ones.
What inspired you to write your book?
After more than 20 years of being a caregiver, employing caregivers, and studying caregiving as a phenomenon of social science, I was compelled to write this book. Families are often overwhelmed when confronted with the changing health conditions–and corresponding care-related requirements–of aging loved ones. This book is a concise, practical, and easy-to-understand guide for them.
If you have a business related to your book, tell us about it:
Through Caregiving Kinetics, I speak with groups everywhere about what it means to be a caregiver. My audiences are include professional care organizations, healthcare leaders, and informal caregivers. I offer training, executive coaching, and workforce development services to care organizations as well.
What is a typical day like for you?
After COVID-19 vacated my travel speaking calendar, I’ve been spending my days at home, working on book marketing and promotional activities. I have a number of virtual speaking engagements on the horizon. I also teach classes in Aging & Public Health as well as Healthcare Management at Shenandoah University.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Family caregivers are unsung heroes. I love supporting them and knowing that I can help.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
I’d recommend Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande, MD, because the book offers profound insights about end-of-life decisions and care.
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
Family caregivers are often hesitant to seek help for themselves when their loved one’s needs are so evident. It’s okay for family caregivers to get support, too. By doing so, they’ll be in a better position to help their loved ones.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I’m fluent in Spanish.
What’s next for you?
The new book is perfectly suited for caregiver support groups, thanks in particular to its questions for reflection after every chapter. I expect to be talking a lot with caregiver support groups–either virtually or in person.
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