A compassionate guide to navigating the complex, emotional and challenging world of care


When someone you love becomes seriously ill, disabled, or starts to decline with age, knowing what to do can feel overwhelming. Next of Kin is a heartfelt and practical guide to navigating the complicated world of care. Written by journalist and health communicator Casey Beros, this book offers clear, empathetic advice for tackling the medical, legal, physical and emotional challenges of caring for someone close to you. When it can be hard to see a clear way forward, Beros delivers what every carer needs: guidance, reassurance, and real-life tools.

She shares everything she learned on her journey as her father's carer, as well as insights from other patients and carers she met along the way and learnings from over two decades of interviewing medical professionals. Beros unpacks advice from world-leading experts in care, loss and grief, reflecting on the best way forward in one of the most challenging times any of us will ever face. Next of Kin shines a bright light into a dark experience and gives readers a hand to hold along the way.

Inside, you'll find:

Tools to navigate the medical system and advocate on behalf of yourself or someone you care for

Techniques for talking about uncomfortable topics, like illness, death and loss, with children and adults

Advice to navigate loss, grief and the transformation of relationships affected by illness and death

Strategies for much-needed self-care when you're devoted to caring for someone else

Key legal considerations, including important details about wills, powers of attorney, guardianship and what it means to be the executor of an estate


Whether you're currently caring for someone, or you are expecting to in the future, Next of Kin is the practical, compassionate resource you need. This essential guide will show you how to move forward with kindness and strength – for others and yourself – and will inspire you to step up to the plate when someone you love needs you.