MINNEAPOLIS, April 27, 2012 - Capella University, an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing high quality online degree programs for working adults, has announced that Capella faculty member James V. Gambone, PhD, and Capella PhD student Rhonda Travland, MS, have co-written a book focused on the unique challenges and approaches of men who take on caregiving roles for spouses, parents, or other loved ones. The book, Who Says Men Don't Care? A Man's Guide to Balanced and Guilt-Free Caregiving, is one of the few caregiving resources directed toward men, who make up nearly 22 million of the nation's informal caregivers.
Gambone and Travland met online in a Capella University master's-level gerontology course taught by Gambone. "As part of an online classroom discussion, Rhonda mentioned that 35 to 40 percent of informal caregivers were men," recalled Gambone. "I challenged her on it, and she was able to back up her claim. I discovered she had a very strong background in caregiving and caregiver support. I also did some research on what resources were available for male caregivers and discovered only one book, and that had been written eight years earlier and wasn't in print."
After Travland was no longer his student, Gambone approached her about co-writing a book focused on male caregivers. "I'm passionate about caregiving and informal caregiving in particular," said Travland, who has since earned her MS in Human Services with a Gerontology specialization at Capella and is now pursuing a PhD at the online university. "I was a spousal caregiver for 17 years—my first husband had early-onset Alzheimer's and I know how stressful and isolating caregiving can be."
Travland founded the Caregiver Survival Institute with her current husband, David Travland, PhD, and co-wrote The Tough & Tender Caregiver, A Handbook For The Well Spouse, with him. "While all caregivers face stress and frustration, we found that men often have a harder time dealing with a caregiver role. It's very difficult for them to ask for help," said Travland.
Florida-based Travland and Minnesota-based Gambone accomplished most of their collaborative writing via email, agreeing on an outline first and then each taking the lead on different sections of the book. "One of my areas of expertise is looking at generational differences, and I wanted to bring that concept into the book," said Gambone, author of ReFire Your Life: A guide for those who can't retire—or don't want to.
In Who Says Men Don't Care, Gambone and Travland help men identify their caregiving style, often based on generational differences, including the Manager, the Searcher, the Loner, and the Techno-Virtual Caregiver. The book also provides advice on how to use that knowledge to become a healthier, more effective caregiver. Who Says Men Don't Care? A Man's Guide to Balanced and Guilt-Free Caregiving is available on www.maleguideforcaregiving.com.
As of March 31, 2012, more than 37,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella. The learning and career outcomes of Capella's students and alumni can be found at www.capellaresults.org.
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, homeland security, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 144 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 37,000 learners were enrolled as of March 31, 2012, from all 50 states and 59 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
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*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org. Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.