NCJ Number
109773
Date Published
1987
Length
238 pages
Annotation
A caregiver to an AIDS patient and two professional therapists use personal stories and current information to help community volunteers, friends, and family members of an AIDS patient confront the trauma of the diagnosis, handle the emotions involved, and manage everyday issues ranging from diet and therapy to health insurance and stress.
Abstract
It also presents basic facts about the disease's transmission, symptoms, and treatments and suggests questions to ask the doctor. Methods of confronting fear, dealing with denial, and maintaining hope when facing the diagnosis are presented, as are ways to deal with emotions as the disease progresses. Legal issues relating to housing, employment, disability payments, and medical insurance are outlined. A discussion of the way the relationship with the sick friend will start changing focuses on living accommodations, sex habits, financial burdens, and special sources of tension. Ways for caregivers to get help for themselves are also detailed. Advice is also given for coping with the final stage of the illness and for dealing with grief and loss. Glossary, index, annotated list of 16 references, and appended resource lists and related materials.