Monthly Archives: April 2013

April 28, 2013 · 10:23 am

Tuesday on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver:’ Caring Is Not Enough

On Tuesday, April 30th at 1:00 pm (est) we welcome author Terry Ann Black, RN to our ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver show on Blog Talk Radio. To access the show live on Tuesday, simply click here!

Terry Ann Black, RN

As a registered nurse for 47 years, Terry has worked with many people in times of crisis. However her life changing experience came when Terry’s father-in-law died in an auto accident, leaving her family with limited knowledge on where to find all his important documents.

Now in its 5th edition, Terry’s book Caring Is Not Enough provides her readers with a clear and concise information on how individuals and families can get their affairs in order. Through our conversation on Tuesday, Terry will demonstrate to us how we can ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

Visit Terry’s website and buy her book by simply click here!

Visit Terry’s Blog by simply clicking here!

To listen to Tuesday’s show live, simply click here!

Cannot listen live on Tuesday...NO Worries!!!

Our shows are archived for your listening convenience. You can access all our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver by simply clicking here!

Always remember… “It’s Our Hope That Lets Us Withstand Problems…It’s Our Dreams That Let’s Us Find solutions!

A Conversation on Home Health Care (thepurplejacket.com)
When Does Caregiving Traumatize? (caregiving.com)
How Do You Help Your Children Tell Their Caregiving Story? (caregiving.com)
“America’s Safe Retirement Coach”, Jack Tatar (thepurplejacket.com)

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Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Bow Tie Guy, Caregiver, Caregiving, Home care, The Bow-Tie-Guy

April 25, 2013 · 8:01 am

A Caregiver’s Heart

creativityorcrazy

Here’s a poem using some of the words from Wordle 105 over at The Sunday Whirl blog. Poetry is where my melancholy heart has been drawn to as of late.

Losing my resilience
Like a spring
Wound a bit much
Harder to bounce back
Feeling out of touch
Hanging onto promises
With thread bare hope
Searching for shelter
Needing a way to cope
Seeking some solace
Against this torrential rain
A life flowing too fast
Yet remaining
Too much the same
A caregiver’s heart
Travels a difficult road
Trying to prevent
Burnout and overload
Must endure till the end
Many are the pieces
To this heavy load
Tasks breed like rabbits
Sleep is interrupted again
Unable to dream
There are days with no end
Yet consider all of this
Time well spent
Compassion and love
Worth much more
Than mountains of gold
To comfort…

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April 22, 2013 · 11:59 am

‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ On Blog Talk Radio

On Tuesday April 23rd at 1:00 pm (est) we welcome Gail Zahtz from Car Pool Health to our ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ show on Blog Talk Radio. You can access Tuesday’s show by clicking here!

Carpool Health is building an integrated media company to connect physician and patients with trusted information and recommended resources. Carpool strength lies in the unique identities of Communities of Practice that share common expertise, interests in diseases or treatments, and/or work together to learn and create solutions. By everyone coming together under one umbrella, and yet able to grow their personal passions and expertise within healthcare, every user can benefit.

Through our conversation with Gail, we will all learn how Carpool Health will help us all ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver.’

You can listen to Tuesday show by simply clicking here!

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Can’t listen to our show live on Tuesday…NO Worries! All of our ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ shows are archived for listening convenience by simply clicking here!

LGBT Aging Through the Lens of Gen Silent on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio (thepurplejacket.com)
“America’s Safe Retirement Coach”, Jack Tatar (thepurplejacket.com)
When Parenting and Caregiving Collide, Do You Let Your Kids Off the Hook? (caregiving.com)

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Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Home care, Radio, The Bow-Tie-Guy

April 17, 2013 · 11:03 am

Caregivers: What’s Your Hobby?

‘There is nothing deep down inside us except what we have put there ourselves.” Richard Rorty

Tuesday on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio, I had the pleasure of visiting with John Schwaig from Fabrication Arts Studio in St. Louis. When I posted that John was going to be on the show, I had a couple of people ask me, “how are you going to relate Stained Glass Art to Caregiving?” My response was simple, the show is about the importance of Caregivers having a hobby! To listen to this episode of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver with John Schwaig, simply click here!

During the show, John talked about how his workshops and classes in stained glass have attracted cancer patients and their Caregivers, and how time spent in working on a stained art project have allowed them to take their mind from daily grind of dealing with health issues. As a former counselor and teacher, John is keenly aware of the importance of self-care.

With over 66 million working Caregivers in the United States today, finding time for a hobby, or better yet, self-care is often difficult for Caregivers. Dedicated to the care and well-being of our Caree, Caregivers often put their needs second, which can lead to lack of quality rest, poor eating habits, which of course then leads to poor health.

Here are some tips for Family Caregivers:

Schedule Time For Yourself
Take Up A Hobby
Join A Support Group (I recommend Caregiving.com)
Take Care Of Your Own Health
Learn To Put Yourself First
Meditate
Read a Book Not Related to Caregiving
Be Open to Outside Help

Self-Care is an important part of the entire Caregiving process that is often left unattended. I know, I’ve been there myself! But with some simple adjustments to our daily routine, we can find the time to take better care of ourself. The ‘funny’ thing about this…your Caree will be the one who will be most appreciative of you taking better care of yourself!

I would like to hear from you on what you do for a hobby!

Listen to

Every Tuesday at 1:00pm (est)

Cannot listen live; NO Worries! All our shows are archived for your listening convenience.

Access all our episodes by simply clicking here!

Caregivers Make Us Who We Are (familyfriendshomecare.wordpress.com)
IRS Tips for Family Caregivers – just in time??? (helpparentsagewell.com)
Tonight: Can Caregiving Heal? (caregiving.com)
‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ Every Tuesday on Blog Talk Radio (thepurplejacket.com)
New Book ‘Never Giving Up & Never Wanting To’ Chronicles Caregiver’s Life to Show Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease (prweb.com)
Are you a caregiver needing care? (heartmindfulness.wordpress.com)

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Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Caregiver, Family caregivers, Richard Rorty, The Bow-Tie-Guy

April 14, 2013 · 10:50 pm

WIG OR NO WIG –THAT WAS THE QUESTION (subtitle: Wiggin’ out over losing my hair)

My good friend Sonia is writing about her bout with Cancer, it is a beautiful read!

courage grace and humor

WIG OR NO WIG –THAT WAS THE QUESTION (subtitle: Wiggin’ out over losing my hair)

At my first chemo in June 2011, my chemo nurse, Cathy, told me I should expect to start losing my hair approximately 14-17 days after that first treatment. Sure enough, around that time, I started noticing bunches of my hair coming out when I showered. I had already made the decision that, when the time came, I would shave my head. Now, 2 weeks after my first course of Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin, that time had come. My Oncologist had given me the name of a beauty store that sold wigs and would shave my head at no charge. Other patients told me that I should visit the beauty store before I lost my hair and pick out a wig that would match my current hair color. So, before the big day, I went to…

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April 14, 2013 · 4:12 pm

Be A Healthy Caregiver on Blog Talk Radio

On Tuesday April 16th at 1:00 pm (est) we welcome John Schwaig from Fabrication Arts Center in St. Louis to our show. You can access Tuesday’s show by clicking here!

Fabrication Arts creates and designs custom and unique art for home and office decor. Their beautiful custom beveled and stained glass, is truly a sight to behold.

After a mid-life change from teaching and counseling, John has turned what he thought was a hobby, into a second career! Through his classes and workshops on Stained Glass, John offers cancer patients and survivors a chance to find a new hobby and a chance to take their mind off an insidious disease.

Through our conversation today, John will demonstrate to us how the importance of having a hobby will allow us all to “Be A Healthy Caregiver!”

To visit Fabrication Arts Center website simply click here!

You can access Tuesday’s show by clicking here!

Can’t listen to the show live, NO WORRIES, all of our shows are archived for your listening convenience. You can access all of our archived shows by clicking here!

Caregiving and Those Silly Hats (thepurplejacket.com)
LGBT Aging Through the Lens of Gen Silent on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio (thepurplejacket.com)
Infographic: How To Make Simple Stained Glass With Children (simplysenia.com)
Architectural Antique Salvage Company DC Riggott Inc. Selling Rare Cathedral Artifacts With Dramatic Past (prweb.com)
Newly Opened Incredible Stained Glass Features Unique Stained Glass Panels and More (prweb.com)
stained glass painting (happyhooligans.ca)

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Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Bow Tie Guy, Caregiving

April 13, 2013 · 10:24 am

New Reseach Debunks Top Five Myths About Aging

We welcome a guest blog post from Home Instead Senior Care!

NEW RESEARCH DEBUNKS TOP FIVE MYTHS ABOUT AGING

Leading home care provider dispels common misperceptions about seniors

OMAHA, Neb. – April 11, 2013 – Many Americans fear the social impacts of aging. From wrinkles to serious health and financial concerns, aging undoubtedly creates anxiety for people of all ages. However, according to new research* released by Home Instead Senior Care^®, the leading global provider of home care services for seniors, there are significant gaps between the perceptions and realities of mature age.

The new research reveals that the majority of seniors do not experience many of the common concerns associated with aging. Younger generations can rest easy as the following myths about old age are debunked:

#1. Happiness is for the young. Not true. Only 29 percent of Millennials (age 18-30) describe themselves as very happy, compared to 44 percent of the Greatest Generation (age 66+).

#2. Your physical appearance will terrify you most. A decline in physical appearance as one ages is a secondary concern to memory loss. Memory loss was cited by more than 82 percent of American adults as a top fear, compared to 11 percent who cite beauty concerns.

#3. Your bank account will run dry. Although more than half (52 percent) of Americans believe money is a very serious problem for older generations, only 14 percent of people over 65 lack financial resources to support themselves.

#4. Technology will outpace you. The future model of your iPhone won’t escape the older version of you. Nearly four in ten (38 percent) of Americans perceive people over 65 can’t keep up with new technology as they age. Yet, only 15 percent of seniors cite this as a serious problem.

#5. Aging undoubtedly brings loneliness. Loneliness was perceived as a major issue for older Americans by 37 percent. However, only 5 percent of seniors say it’s a very serious problem.

“Home Instead is committed to changing the face of aging. It is imperative for earlier generations – Millenials, Generation X and Baby Boomers – to distinguish myth from reality,” said Roger Baumgart, CEO of Home Instead, Inc. “There needs to be a more realistic perception about aging as the older population rises from 800 million to 2 billion people over the next 30 years.”

Despite these misperceptions, most U.S. adults agree that older Americans lack respect from younger generations. Almost 80 percent say seniors don’t receive enough of it. Now those are words we can grow (older) on.

Listen to

Every Tuesday at 1:00 pm.

Access all our episodes by clicking here!

When Hospice Isn’t Enough (homeinsteadmississauga-blog.com)
Social Isolation Increases Risks in Older People (homeinsteadmississauga-blog.com)
Springhill Care Group | Alzheimer’s as Most Feared Disease by Americans According to Poll (lushcrushn14.wordpress.com)
Home Instead Senior Care Franchisees to Hire More than 45,000 CAREGivers Nationwide in 2013 (sys-con.com)
The need for In-home care rises as baby boomers age. (miamiherald.com)
Good Choice in Home Elder Care Reasons (alhireymed.wordpress.com)

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Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Bow Tie Guy, Caregiver, Home care, Home Instead, Home Instead Senior Care, iPhone, Old age, OMAHA

April 8, 2013 · 8:30 am

This Tuesday on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio

On Tuesday April 9th, we welcome Shane Smith, Executive Director of Home Helpers to our ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ show on Blog Talk Radio. You can access the show by clicking here!

Founded in 1997, Home Helpers serves over 500 communities across the United States and Canada. Shane and is wife Jessika, are the owner/operators of Home Helpers in Weston, Florida.

When it comes to home health care, there are plenty of models to choose from. Yet Shane and his staff offer the personal touch that makes them one of the leading Home Health Care agencies in the nation.

Through our conversation today, Shane and Jessika will demonstrate to us on how selecting the right home health care agency will help us all ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

You can listen to our show live at 1:00 pm (est) by clicking here.

Cannot listen live, NO WORRIES, all our shows are archived so you can listen at a time that is convenient for you by clicking here

Long-Term Care Insurance (creditrepair.com)
A Conversation on Home Health Care (thepurplejacket.com)
Home Care for Seniors (frontrangehomecare.wordpress.com)
Are Home Health Care Aides Entitled to Overtime Pay? (nycemploymentlawdaily.com)
‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ Every Tuesday on Blog Talk Radio (thepurplejacket.com)
Facility at your home available for 24 hours in health care centres (bestassistedlivingcolumbus.wordpress.com)
Choose A Richmond in Home Care Facility (elderlyfamilymembercare.wordpress.com)

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Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Bow Tie Guy, Caregiver, Caregiving, Florida, Home care, Home Health, home health care

April 7, 2013 · 10:57 am

Book Your Caregiving Cruise with a chance to win $100. Restaurant.com Gift Card

We set sail on November 11 for a four-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky. Join Denise Brown from Caregiving.com and Chris MacLellan from The Purple Jacket.com’ and ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ for a get-a-way that also includes support for you in your Caregiving journey.

If you’d like, please feel free to bring your caree. Our travel agent can assist with your special needs. Traveling alone? No worries! Our travel agent can find you a roommate.

We have a special incentive for you!

If you book your cruise by April 30th, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 Restaurant.com gift card! Already book your cruise? You’ll be entered, too!

To book your cruise, just click here:

Our travel agent, Jerry Dismarais is a Cruise Specialist and a Certified Travel Accessible Advocate and has been instrumental in planning our event. Jerry can book all your travel plans: feel free to call him directly at 877.632.5301.

Feel free to contact me at ChrisMacLellan@thebowtieguy.net or Denise Brown at Denise@caregiving.com for further information on cruise events.

To listen to my recent broadcast on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ with Jerry and Denise, by simply click here!

To book your cruise, just click here:

Contact our Jerry Dismarais direct at 877.632.5301

A Conversation About Our Cargiving Cruise (thepurplejacket.com)
Join our Caregiving Cruise: November 11-15, 2013 (caregiving.com)
Local travel agents don’t expect cancellations (mywesttexas.com)
Norwegian Cruise Lines Brings a New Ship to New York: Norwegian Breakaway (prweb.com)
Norwegian Cruise Line bringing magic to Miami ship (miamiherald.com)
Norwegian Cruise Lines Brings a New Ship to New York: Norwegian… (prweb.com)

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Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Bow Tie Guy, Caregiver, Caregiving.com, cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line, norwegian cruise lines, Restaurant.com, Travel

April 4, 2013 · 7:11 am

HeartSphere

“The Sage falls asleep not because he ought to, nor even because he wants to, but because he is sleepy.” ~Raymond M. Smullyan

We live in a busy world, with busy people using busy things. Sometimes in all of this “business of busyness” we forget to stop and remember where our feet are even planted, and where life has taken our feet.

Some find life to be a chore; a mundane routine of waking, eating, working and sleeping. From this perspective many can understand the toil that many people endure. Within this repetitive cycle we find vices and distractions, those things which keep the sanity in an otherwise fruitless endeavor of life. We make weekend plans, take vacations, start relationships, form addictions and take yoga classes. We distract from the life we live, then we die having never truly embraced its essence.

The sphere of spheres is everything, containing not…

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