About the Book
Home Made Care is a passion project of mine that I’ve wanted to write for a long time. It is about some of the many experiences I’ve had throughout the 40 years I was a working caregiver.
It is a casual conversation with you, the reader, as I share some stories that have lived in my heart for all these years. After each story are ways of dealing with the issue stated within the story. The issues within each story are ones we may all face in our line of work.
More Than Just a Story
Part memoir, part guidebook — this is the book I wish someone had handed me on my first day as a caregiver.
Real Stories
From Betty and the rainstorm to Bert who fired me — every chapter is a true story from my 40 years of caregiving. No textbook theories. Just real
life.
Hard-Won Lessons
Each story comes with the lessons I learned — about communication, boundaries, self-care, and finding your voice. Lessons I earned the hard way so you don't have to.
You're Not Alone
Whether you're burned out, second-guessing yourself, or wondering if you're in the right field — this book says what we're all thinking but rarely say out loud.
Inside the Book
Every Chapter, a Lesson
Each chapter tells a true story — and each story carries a lesson that every caregiver needs to hear.
Click on each chapter below to discover what it’s about.
1
- Communication
A Walk in the Rain
We took a challenging trip from the mall to her home in the rain with dead electric wheelchair batteries at night. Communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, blow-ups. The Three We took a challenging trip from the mall to her home in the rain with dead electric wheelchair batteries at night. Communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, blow-ups. The Three Pillars of Good Communication: Openness, Honesty, Compassion.
2
- Finding Your Fit
How It All Began
How you can find yours, through self-assessments. How to find the right employer. What questions to ask. How to find your Fit!
3
- Rejection / Knowing One's Limits
The Day Bert Let Me Go
A quadriplegic war veteran whose needs were more than I could do for him. Finding your limitations and handling rejection. Being honest with yourself and your person. Listening to your gut, your inner self. Can you truly do what this person needs you to do? Just because you’re not a good fit for your person doesn’t mean you are a bad caregiver.
4
- Introduction to Abuse
The Day I Let Me Go
An angry woman who took her pain out on her caregivers. A brief introduction to abuse. How to deal with difficult people. Remember the Three Pillars of Good Communication. Speak your truth with kindness and respect for your person and yourself.
5
- The Lighter Side
Some Silly Stories From the Field
Some comic relief for your funny bones.
6
- Being Present
Caring to the End
Caring for Frank, who was dying with dignity at home with his wife Patty. You are also caring for their loved ones. When to be silent and just listen. Being present.
7
- Burnout Deep-Dive
When to Take a Break
How I experienced a terrifying incident, acute burnout. How to recognize it. What to do about it. How to recover from it.
8
- Abuse Deep-Dive
When it is Wrong
What happens when a caregiver is the abuser. The manipulation, control, and power over the vulnerable. How to recognize it from the outside. What can be done.
9
- Burnout Deep-Dive
Knowing When to Quit
When my body told me to look for another line of work. Assessing your physical limitations. Going through the grief process. Reaching the other side.
10
- Abuse Deep-Dive
Inspirational Stories From the Field
Some stories to remind us why we do what we do.
…plus chapters on abuse, depression, burnout, and an inspirational closing that will stay with you.
Website Page Content
ABOUT THE BOOK
Home Made Care is a passion project of mine that I’ve wanted to write for a long time. It is about some of the many experiences I’ve had throughout the 40 years I was a paid caregiver.
It is a casual conversation with you, the reader, as I share some stories that have lived in my heart for all these years. After each story are ways of dealing with the issue stated within the story. The issues within each story are ones we may all face in our line of work. Such as
Chapter 1 A Walk in the Rain with Betty
We took a challenging trip from the mall to her home in the rain with dead electric wheelchair batteries at night.
Communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, blow-ups; The Three Pillars of Good Communication
Openness
Honesty
Compassion
Chapter 2 Finding Your Fit
How you can find yours
Through self-assessments,
How to find the right employer.
What questions to ask
Chapter 3 The Day Bert Let Me Go
A quadriplegic war veteran whose needs were more than I could do for him.
Finding Your Limitations and Handling Rejection Being honest with yourself and your person.
Listening to your gut, your inner self
Can you truly do what this person needs you to do.
Just because you’re not a good fit for your person, doesn’t mean you are a bad caregiver.
Chapter 4 The Day I Let Me Go =
An angry woman who took her pain out on her caregivers.
A brief introduction to Abuse
How to deal with difficult people
Remember the 3 Pillars of Communication
Speak your truth with kindness and respect for your person and yourself.
Chapter 5 Some Silly Stories from the Field
Some comic relief for your funny bones.
Chapter 6 Being Present
Caring for Frank who was dying with dignity at home with his wife
You are also caring for their loved ones.
When to be silent and just listen
Being Present
Chapter 7 Burnout a Deep-Dive
How I experienced a terrifying incident, acute burnout.
How to recognize it
What to do about it
There is Recovery from it.
Chapter 8 Abuse a Deep-Dive
What happens when a caregiver is the abuser.
The manipulation, control, power over the vulnerable.
How to recognize it from the outside.
What can be done.
Chapter 9 Knowing When to Quit
When my body told me to look for another line of work.
Assessing your physical limitations
Going through the grief process
Reaching the other side.
Chapter 10 Inspirational Stories from the Field
Some stories to remind us why we do what we do.
It takes heart to do this work — compassion, empathy, and a real love for your person.
— Rochelle Miller
It takes heart to do this work — compassion, empathy, and a real love for your person.
— Rochelle Miller
Going Forward
Your Caregiver Toolkit
This site gives you the tools to put them into practice.
Communication : Real Life tools
Practice compassionate communication with mirror exercises, recording techniques
Career & Personality Assessments
Free tests to help you understand if caregiving is your calling — or if a different path fits better.
Dealing with
Rejection
Practical strategies and mindset tools to help you process rejection, rebuild confidence, and move forward with resilience.
Burnout & Self-Care
Assessments, coping strategies, and recovery resources for when the work starts to weigh you down.
Crisis & Support Lines
National and local for caregivers in crisis — because sometimes you need to talk to someone right now.
Recognizing & Reporting Abuse
Resources on recognizing verbal abuse, protecting yourself, and knowing when and how to report it.
Coming Soon
You're Not Alone in This
Caregiving can feel isolating — but it doesn’t have to be. A community is coming where you can share your frustrations, celebrate your wins, ask for advice, and know that someone truly gets it. A place where your voice matters.
Share your stories and be heard
Ask questions and get real advice
Connect with fellow caregivers who understand
Find resources, answers, and support