Practical advice and spiritual reflections from a caregiver's 20-year fight against Alzheimer's, narcissism and burnout
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As an only child, stepping up as a caregiver was Elizabeth Dell's only option when her parent's health began to decline. She quickly found herself overwhelmed, attempting to balance caring for both parents escalating health problems, dealing with her father's narcissistic behavior and her mother's Alzheimer's, all while trying to raise a family of her own. In her new book, "The Caregiver's Journey," she gives readers an unflinching account of the 20 years she spent as her parent's caregiver.
The book is structured into vignettes that detail the emotional, psychological, and physical toll caregiving takes, particularly when dealing with difficult family dynamics. She describes the complexities of caring for a parent with Alzheimer's while contending with her father's narcissism, which often made caregiving even more challenging. Dell recounts how her father's narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) caused frustration, manipulation, and rejection, leaving her emotionally drained and often isolated.
"This book is written for caregivers who are confronting the confusing, scary journey of watching a parent slip into the later stages of life," Dell explained. "My goal is to present situations I faced, explain what solutions I found that worked or didn't work, and help readers detour around some of the obstacles and learn how to accept the risks involved in eldercare."
"The Caregiver's Journey," provides practical insights for caregivers, touching on elder care, elder abuse, caregiver burnout, and the difficulty of navigating narcissistic behavior. Throughout the narrative, Dell uses her experiences to highlight the struggles of caregiving, including financial exploitation by caregivers, the need for respite, and the emotional turmoil that accompanies watching a loved one decline. Dell's honesty about her guilt, anger, and eventual spiritual growth offers readers a compassionate guide to managing similar circumstances.
Dell reflects on how her spiritual journey helped her cope with her parents' illnesses and her role as a caregiver. Her candid reflections, interspersed with humor and practical advice, this book not only acts as a guide for caregivers but also a testimony of resilience and personal growth amidst hardship.
"I always pray for caregivers," Dell said. "Their road is long and hard, and very few people take the time to ask how they are doing. Instead, the concern always seems to be focused on the patient. I survived this role through the grace of God. When I meet friends who are just beginning the caregiving journey, I can't help but warn them of the difficulties I faced. Anything I can do to make this an easier journey for them makes my suffering worth it."
"The Caregiver's Journey"
By Elizabeth Dell
ISBN: 9798385028290 (softcover); 9798385028429 (hardcover); 9798385028306 (electronic)
Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the author
Elizabeth Dell lives in North Carolina where she and her husband have two adult children. After 20 years of caring for ill parents, she reinvented herself as a public art consultant and most recently as a writer. This memoir is her way of healing from being a lifelong victim of narcissistic abuse. To learn more, please visit http://www.elizdell.com.
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SOURCE Elizabeth Dell
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