The Caregiver's Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices for Those Who Can't

"The Caregiver's Path is a book that speaks to the head and to the heart. It will give readers the tools they need to give the care we all want and deserve. Highly recommended." Harry R. Moody, Ph.D., Director of Academic Affairs, AARP

"It is a valuable resource that covers information needed to make all levels of decisions. I have never found this information discussed in such a clear, compassionate manner. GET THE BOOK." Carol E. Pollard, RN, LMT

"Viki Kind has created an excellent guide for families who are often left struggling and feeling overwhelmed when making decisions for loved ones who are incapacitated and unable to decide for themselves. This comprehensive guide covers every conceivable scenario families face in making decisions for persons dependent upon them. The tone is conversational, examples familiar, and explanations simple and clear without being condescending. Every caregiver, family and professional, should read this guide, preferably before there is a crisis." Edna Ballard, MSW, ACSW, Clinical Associate in Social Work, Duke Family Support Program, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Senior Fellow - Bryan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Education Core Faculty

Viki's book for me was a page-turner! ... It has changed my law practice because it has changed how I see the world of making health care (and even financial) decisions for a loved one no longer capable of doing so. The decision tree in the book is priceless. One gem that adds to the value is Viki's tips on when (and how) to engage the hospital ethics committee. Doug Germann, Elder Law Attorney

I finished your book up a few days after I received it and am remiss in getting back to you. You have managed to take complex issues and lay them out in a readable and effective format. I found your book fantastic. As a nationally certified guardian, I have to make decisions frequently and was glad to have your perspectives expand my standard 3 level thought process (substituted, best interest etc.) This whole area is so under-discussed and so extremely important. Thank you for sharing this work with me. Gary A. Powell, Nationally Certified Guardian

This is a well-written book, full of practical advice about making difficult life and death decisions. The author has been there as a caregiver and understands well the dilemmas that often need to be faced at times of crisis. Well worth reading cover to cover, and/or using it for reference. Moira Fordyce MD, MB ChB, FRCPE, AGSF, Geriatrician - Adjunct Clinical Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine Chair, Executive Committee, California Coalition for Caregivers

As a financial planner, clients also look to me as a trusted advisor in areas outside the financial setting. So when I discovered Viki Kind and her expertise, it was wonderful. In her lectures, and book, she not only integrates the financial ramifications of end of life, quality of life, caregiving and lost mental capacity, she promotes a person-centered approach that also integrates honoring values, family, community, and personal legacy. Ultimately, she shares knowledge and gives advice only a clinical bioethicist can give. Michael Palumbos, ChFC - Family Wealth Advisor

As the caregiver of an ill husband with very minimal mental capacity, I found The Caregiver's Path to be an invaluable tool to hang on my caregiver's tool belt - and a tool that is presented with such love, understanding and KINDness that it is not the burden I would have expected such a book to be. Very readable!" Terri Corcoran - Well Spouse Association

Viki Kind is a clinical bioethicist, professional speaker and hospice volunteer. Her award winning book, The Caregiver's Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices For Those Who Can't, guides families, guardians and other professionals through the difficult process of making decisions for those who have lost capacity. (2nd edition of her book just released.) She also has a workbook available at KindEthics.com. The Caregiver's Path: Resource Workbook, Conversation Guide and Visual Toolkit, provides uniquely designed communication tools for managing challenging conversations such as evaluating danger and risk, managing guilt and denial, end-of-life decisions, and helping the family know when it is time to create a new care plan. Viki is known as "The People's Bioethicist," because she is a rare individual who bridges two worlds, that of the health care professional and of the family struggling to make the right decision. Viki spends much of her time speaking at conferences out in the community teaching patients and family caregivers how to make better decisions regarding their health, life and end-of-life. She also lectures across the United States teaching professionals to have integrity, compassion and to improve care through better communication and ethical frameworks. Patients, families and professionals love Viki's practical approach to dealing with ethically challenging dilemmas. Her recent experience as an expert witness for a court case where an advance healthcare directive failed has inspired her to create a set of tools to increase advance directive success by making them personalized and meaningful instead of generic. Viki provides bioethics consultation and support for many hospitals in the Los Angeles area. She also provides private consultations for individuals who are struggling to make difficult decisions. She holds a master's degree in bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin and a bachelor's degree in speech communication from California State University at Northridge. She has specialized training in mediation and cultural negotiation from Pepperdine University and UCLA. Viki is an honorary board member of the Well Spouse Association. She has also been a caregiver for many years for six members of her family.