Patient Information, Nursing Home Care, and the Non-Medical Costs of Caregiving: One Librarian's Perspective

Little literature exists about how health sciences librarians use their training for caregiving. In line with the aims of this column, this piece summarizes predominantly personal experience gained from caring for an aging parent from September 2009 until April 2011. Health information written for consumers and patients may not adequately address complex health care circumstances, and the health sciences librarian may need to find and apply more granular information than typically provided in patient-oriented literature. Families and caregivers may need to brainstorm about additional questions and information needs as they emerge.