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Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America tells the story of Kate Washington’s struggle to care for her seriously ill husband, offering a revealing look at the role unpaid family caregivers play in a society that fails to provide them with structural support. Available from Beacon Press in hardback, paperback, audio, and ebook editions, Already Toast, which Publishers Weekly calls a "wrenching debut," shows how all-consuming caregiving can be, how difficult it is to find support, and how the social and literary narratives that have long locked women into providing emotional labor also keep them in unpaid caregiving roles. In a starred review, Booklist calls Already Toast "an eye-opening account from a full-time caregiver...a timely and crucial appeal." On the TODAY Show, best-selling author Jasmine Guillory recommended Already Toast as a must-read spring 2021 nonfiction release. The book has been covered in the The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Magazine, and excerpts have appeared in LitHub and Bitch. A complete list of media coverage may be found here.

Kate is available to speak to organizations and book clubs. To inquire, contact Kate; book clubs can also check out Beacon Press's reading guide for Already Toast. For information on upcoming readings and discussions, please visit the events page.

Order Already Toast anywhere books are sold, including your local indie, Bookshop.org, Penguin Random House, Amazon, or Kindle, or in Canada at Indigo.ca. Find Already Toast on Goodreads!

Looking for caregiving resources? Scroll down for a list of places to start. Going through it? Check out Kate's playlist for caregivers or anyone going through a challenging time, featuring songs mentioned in the book.

resources for caregivers

  • AARP Resources: A treasure trove of resources across all areas of caregiving: financial, emotional, educational. New caregivers: start here!
  • Caregiver Action Network Hotline: The Caregiver Action Network operates a support line at 855-227-3640 and offers many other resources on the website.
  • SAMSHA National Helpline: 800-662-HELP. Provides referrals to local services and is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day in English or Spanish.
  • Caregiver Support Groups: A roundup of more than 20 top caregiving support groups.
  • How-To Caregiving Videos: A collection of educational videos for caregivers.
  • Ianacare: Free app for coordinating caregiver support and community care.
  • National Respite Care Locator: Only a small percentage of caregivers use respite care services. Start here to search for relief if you need it.
  • California Caregiver Resource Centers: Support for family caregivers throughout California, including educational classes, training, support groups, legal & financial planning and funding for respite care.
  • Cancer Support Centers: Find a location to receive support from the Cancer Support Community, anon-profit advocacy network of free psychosocial support that includes caregiver and family support
  • Cancer Support Help Line and live web chat from the Cancer Support Community
  • How to Become a Paid Caregiver for a Family Member: A state-by-state guide to how to qualify (via Medicaid) for pay for family caregiving
  • VA Caregiver Support: The Veterans Administration has programs that pay family caregivers of veterans, explained at this link.
  • Rare Disease Caregiving: Supporting someone with a rare disease brings distinctive challenges, covered at this link. Be sure to also check with the advocacy organization specific to the disease, syndrome, cancer, or disability from which your care recipient suffers; many offer caregiver support and resources.
  • Support for Mesothelioma Caregivers: Resources for caregivers supporting loved ones suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure, as well as information about the disease.
  • Paid Family Leave Laws by State: For questions about whether you are eligible for paid family leave, this resource offers a breakdown of state laws from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
  • Caring Across Generations: Caregiver advocacy and action, as well as connections; here's where to get involved with advocacy work on behalf of caregivers, or learn more about legislative priorities.
  • Caregiver Gift Boxes: Perfect for supporting a caregiver in your life, these gift boxes from The Negative Space include a supportive note, thoughtful "I'm Part of the Story" mug and socks, and other treats. Creator Allison Breininger is also a strong advocate for caregivers; learn more via her website.
  • Quilt Care: Video training classes for caregivers (in development; sign up now for early access)
  • The Toucan App: This audio-based app offers informal, peer-to-peer social support for people in stressful situations, by pairing users with similar situations; potentially a great resource for caregivers whose schedules don't accommodate traditional support groups, or who for whom therapy is inaccessible.
  • Camp Kesem: This national network of no-cost summer camps has, as its mission, supporting kids affected by a parent's cancer. While its mission is not a fit for every caregiving family, Camp Kesem was an invaluable aid for Kate's family and may be a great resource for cancer caregivers with kids at home.
  • COVID-19 Caregiving: Guidance from the CDC on how to care for someone ill from COVID-19 in a home setting.
  • COVID-19 Resources for Family Caregivers: A roundup of resources covering a range of COVID-related issues.
  • Caregiver Podcasts: A big list of podcasts by and for caregivers.
  • Cancer Experience Registry: A research opportunity from the Cancer Support Network, with a dedicated section for cancer caregivers to share their experiences; information from the project is used to inform advocacy for policy solutions, and program development to better support caregivers

This list of resources is intended to give readers a place to start with finding help and support around the issues that are most important to them, not as a comprehensive list. Got a suggestion for a resource that should be included? Hit the contact form.