The Purple Jacket

October 23, 2015 · 2:13 pm

Finding Purpose In Life

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. George Bernard Shaw

Creating a life to love after your love one makes their life transition can be difficult to achieve, but it is critical to our own health and well-being. Sure, our fond memories of the love we shared linger on in our hearts, but we have to find a way to move on, find purpose, and create a new life to love.

Finding purpose in life is one of the critical components enhancing our happiness. Happiness is not predicated on having the biggest car, fancy house, or the most money in the bank. Happiness is predicated on finding purpose in life.

“There is one aspect of grief that I think all of us will experience in one way or another. We stop living! Once you come to the realization that you have stopped living, then you realize the time has come to move on and live your life in the present, with health, happiness and confidence… Like a plant that needs to be watered to regain blooms, we too, in our grief process, need to be watered so we can bloom again. There is no timetable for a new bloom, but without the proper nurturing and care, our soil will become dry and we start to wither away” (p. 95).

In order to live again, we have to find purpose in our life while living in the present with health, happiness and confidence. That is why it was important for me to write “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” in order to give back to the vast community of family Caregivers across the nation. Because it is through giving back where we find purpose and meaning in life.

Amazon Prime members with free shipping of “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” is available by clicking here!

You can also purchase “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” on this website by clicking here!

“What’s The Deal With Caregiving” is a People Tested Publication

For media inquires and bulk purchases please contact me at Chris@thepurplejacket.com

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Tagged as Bernard Richard Schiffer, Caregiver Support, Caregivers, Caregiving, LGBT Caregiving, The Bow-Tie-Guy

October 14, 2015 · 1:40 pm

What’s The Deal With Caregiving

Friends: Today my book, “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” went live on Amazon. My goal with this book is to help guide you through your Caregiving journey, from beginning to end, because Caregiving has no gender or orientation boundaries, we just care for the one we love.

I am dedicating this book to all Caregivers and their Caree’s with an Irish Proverb: “May the road rise up to meet you: May the wind be always at your back: May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home: And may the hand of a friend always be near.”

If you enjoyed reading our Pulitzer Prize Nominated Story, “In Sickness and Health: A Couples Final Journey” I hope you enjoy reading this book as well.

In memory of Bernard Richard Schiffer, I thank all of you for your friendship, support and love.

To purchase “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” on Amazon simply click here!

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Tagged as advocacy, Bernard Richard Schiffer, Bow Tie Guy, Caregiver Support, Caregiving, Chris MacLellan, Family Caregiver, LGBT Seniors, People Tested Media

October 12, 2015 · 4:24 pm

Coming Soon: A New Book and A New Look

Exciting Times are about to happen at “The Purple Jacket” as my first book, “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” will be available this weekend (October 17th) on Amazon.com. Check back here on the Purple Jacket for a direct link to purchase the book on Amazon when we go live this weekend.

“Here are a couple of testimonials from my upcoming book: “What’s The Deal With Caregiving”

Chris MacLellan, masterfully compiled advantageous information and resources that caregivers are desperately searching for. This book will help you make it through your caregiving campaign and survive in one piece. Having authored several dementia caregiving books myself, I constantly found myself nodding yes, and saying, “This book is right on the money.” This is a great collective wealth of resources for all caregivers, no matter what disease your loved one is ailing from. Author, Caregiver, Gary Joseph LeBlanc”

“I really love the approach you took with this – it’s different and of great interest to me as someone who was caregiving a loved one. It’s different because you are approaching it from angles that I don’t remember reading about before. You highlight important issues that sat at periphery of my awareness. I wish I had read this the year Kris started to wind down. Unfortunately I can’t go backwards, but for those now embarking on the caregiving journey it will be of immeasurable value.” Ira Woods, President and CEO of One World Memorials. Author’s Note: Please visit Ira Woods’ blog, Conscious Departures.com for his well-written and compelling story when Caregiving ends.

What else is new you might ask? Well, we are moving domains to ‘The Bow Tie Guy.com” This transition will happen over the next month where we will be able to house all our podcasts, blog posts and our new resource area called the “Whole Care Network.” The “Whole Care Network will be a mixture of podcasts, guest blog posts, and most importantly, trusted resources for you!

The resources in the “Whole Care Network” will center around the five pillars which I write about in my book, here is an exert:

“It is easy to get lost in Caregiving, I know it happened to me! Find purpose in the midst of Caregiving. Do not let your own health lag. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. These five pillars can get out of whack quickly, and when they do, it is all you can do to stay afloat. If there was one thing I could go back and change about my Caregiving experience, I would have taken better care of myself in all five of these areas. It’s “funny” the person who was insisting I take better care of myself, was the one I was caring for, my partner Richard.”

The “Whole Care Network” will feature trusted resources from professionals in all these area who will share their expertise with you. But you know what is even more important? For you to share your Caregiving expertise with them! How can you do that you might ask? Easy…share your story through a podcast with me on “Healing Ties!” Everyone (Caregiver) has a story, but not everyone gets to share their story” now you have an outlet to share your story with me on a podcast! For more details on how you can sign up for a podcast, simply email me at Chris@thepurplejacket.com. Are you a professional who has a resource you would like to share? Please, email me at Chris@thepurplejacket.com!

So what lies ahead for “The Bow Tie Guy”…

New Book, “What’s The Deal With Caregiving”

New Podcast format for “Healing Ties”

New Website “TheBowTieGuy.com” (of course we will keep “The Purple Jacket” as this is where our Caregiving Story with my partner started”

I am available to speak to your company, organization or church on a variety of topics, email me at Chris@thepurplejacket.com for details.

Second Book in the works: “Healing Ties” A Story about Love, Care, Cancer and Commitment in 2016.

Thesis project in conjunction with Gonzaga University (we are hoping to partner with another well-known Caregiving advocate and website, when that is formalized, I will be sure to let you know). The thesis project will center around Caregiving, Stress and the financial impact to employers and employees.

Last but now least, we are your go to for travel planning. In my book, there is an entire section geared toward how to travel with your Caree. With that, I have become a group cruise specialist. Be on the lookout for an announcement on our first After Caregiving cruise in 2016!

As I write in my book: “Richard would want me to create a new life to love”…and while I wish he was here with me now, I know that he is standing right beside me!

Remember our slogan…”We might have (had) cancer, but cancer never had us!”

Thanks for all your continued support as we move in with life after Caregiving ends!

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Tagged as Gary Joseph LeBlanc, Ira Woods, The Bow-Tie-Guy, Whole Care Network

August 28, 2015 · 3:53 pm

A Book Cover Preview: On National Bow Tie Day

As you might have noticed, I have not spent much time blogging on The Purple Jacket over the past six weeks or so. However, that does not mean that I have stopped writing. As The Bow Tie Guy, it seems fitting on National Bow Tie Day I share with you with a preview of the cover of my first book, ‘What’s The Deal With Caregiving’ published Jack Tatar at People Tested Media.

Photo Credit: Photo Journalist Carline Jean with permission from the Sun-Sentinel

Now in our final edits, my goal in writing “What’s The Deal With Caregiving” is to bring readers a comfort zone to reflect, re-energize, and find reassurance, knowing there are other Caregivers out there, just like you, who understands your journey, who cares for you, and simply loves you because you care. As a Caregiver, I’ve been there and because of my personal experience, I want to guide and assist your journey

I will be sure to keep you informed as we get closer to publishing this fall. Here is just one of the many testimonials that have been sent in to me.

A special thanks to my family, Richard’s family and my friends in both South Florida and St. Louis for their continued support as I finish this first project.

Writing this book has been cathartic!

We are already working on book number 2 ‘Healing Ties: A Story about Love, Care, Cancer and Commitment’ which will delve deeper into our Caregiving story with personal accounts of the five pillars: our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial health. I will write openly about our joys, laughter and struggles, because in the end, our story is about the meaning of love. Look for book 2 to be published early 2016.

We Might Have (had) Cancer, but Cancer Never Had Us!

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Tagged as advocacy, Be A Healthy Caregiver, Caregiving, Family Caregiver, LGBT Caregivers, LGBT Caregiving, The Bow-Tie-Guy

August 20, 2015 · 7:56 pm

The Conference on Aging Wrap-Up

We welcome Guest Blogger, Maria Ramos to The Purple Jacket!

The Conference on Aging Wrap-Up

The White House hosted the much-anticipated Conference on Aging on July 13th. This long-running event, held once per decade since 1961, explores the issues facing the elderly, their caregivers and families, while promoting new advances in technology and government programs. In addition to the attendance of some 200 delegates, the conference was broadcast over the web, allowing access to viewers across the country. With the White House as organizer, and President Obama giving a keynote speech, this prestigious conference shined a spotlight on challenges facing the elderly that might otherwise have gone unreported.

In his address, the president highlighted the importance of Medicare and Medicaid in providing funding for elder care, and explained how the Affordable Care Act aids in reducing the number of Americans who lack health insurance, and by making prescription drugs less expensive. Besides health care, he also mentioned the significance of social security, private pensions and 401k plans in making sure that retirees have enough money to comfortably live on. President Obama wants to make it easier for workers to enroll in retirement plans and receive tax benefits for doing so. As he praised the efforts made by previous generations, he also stressed the fact that more work needs to be done to foster the welfare of senior citizens.

As viewers tuned in at hundreds of watch parties around the country, and participated through Twitter, discussions took place about the level of care required by the nation’s oldest citizens. Because life expectancy in the United States has reached nearly 80 years, up from about 70 years half a century ago, there are many more elders today who need assistance particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease or other debilitating conditions. Some caregivers are trying to take care of their own parents while at the same time raising children. By allowing flexible working hours and paid leave, society can make it easier for people to care for their loved ones without putting themselves at financial risk. Also touching upon the topic of financial loss, discussions were held about the need for financial caregivers to carefully steward elders’ financial health just as traditional caregivers promote their physical health.

As it has transformed so many aspects of society, so too is modern technology changing the lives of the elderly for the better. This topic was explored in a panel called “Technology and the Future of Aging.” Participants spoke about the fact that a growing number of seniors are learning how to properly use electronic devices despite the popular conception that old people have no interest in modern technology. By using sensors and remotely accessible video cameras to track the daily habits of elders, their loved ones can easily keep tabs on their health from afar. At the same time, fully featured home automation equipment enables the elderly to remotely control their utilities, home security systems, door locks and other components of their homes automatically. These advances will make it possible for large numbers of seniors to remain in familiar surroundings, or “age in place” rather than having to move to assisted living facilities.

Although changing demographic trends mean that there are fewer younger people around today to care for a larger population of seniors, there are many ways in which society can step in and lend a hand. From new policies for workplaces and retirement plans, to broadening health insurance options, we’re moving in the direction of seriously working towards the happiness and well-being of those above the age of 65. Just as technological developments are largely responsible for many people living to their retirement years in the first place, so will they make those years richer, more convenient and more secure.

Maria Ramos is a freelance writer currently living in Chicago. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a minor in Communication. She blogs about environmentally friendly tips, technological advancements, and healthy active lifestyles.

Thank You Maria for your great post!

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August 11, 2015 · 10:26 am

Creating A Cohesive Care Team

Join us live from St. Louis, MO. At 7:00 pm (EST), 6:00 pm (CST) on August 12th for a special episode of Healing Ties Radio on Health Café Live.com as we visit with Judy Ryan from Life Work Systems.

Creating a cohesive care team is one of the essential components in order to be a health caregiver. Creating the life you love is possible for all of us, especially when we create a cohesive care team. On Wednesday’s show, we’ll discuss seven steps that will help you create the cohesive care team that we all need to help us transform our day.

To listen live on Wednesday August 12th at 7:00 pm (EST), 6:00 pm (CST) simply click here!

Cannot listen live? NO WORRIES! We have plenty of options for you to access all of our episodes of Healing Ties

ON DEMAND on our iHeart Radio Channel by clicking here!

Available on UK Health Radio by clicking here!

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Tagged as advocacy, Caregiving, Healing Ties Radio, Judy Ryan, Life Work Systems, The BowTieGuy

July 28, 2015 · 10:02 am

Elements of Healing Touch Massage

Caregivers, looking for a way to relax, take some time for yourself, to loose some of that pent up stress? Have you ever considered a massage from a licensed massage therapist to help rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit? Well, then join us on Wednesday, July 29th on Health Café Live.com at 7:00 pm (EST) for a conversation with Licensed Massage Therapist Wayne White. Massage therapy dates back thousands of years and is derived from the Greek word,”massein” meaning ‘to knead.’ Through the manipulation of soft tissues of the body by squeezing, rubbing, tapping, vibrating or compressing for therapeutic intent, massage therapy heals and helps rejuvenate our body, mind and spirit. Don’t just take it from me! Listen in and learn how Wayne is creating Healing Ties all around us through the art of massage therapy.

Cannot listen live? No Worries! Healing Ties Radio is available ON DEMAND at:

Our iHeart Radio Channel by clicking here!

Our Healing Ties Website by clicking here.

And in the United Kingdom on UK Health Radio by clicking here!

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Tagged as Caregivers, Healing Ties Radio, Massage Therapy, Stress, The BowTieGuy

July 21, 2015 · 4:21 pm

On Becoming A Fearless Caregiver

Join us on Wednesday, July 22nd on Health Café Live.com at 7:00 pm (EST) as we visit with Gary Barg, Editor-in-Chief of Caregiver Magazine & Caregiver.com. A noted speaker, writer and publisher on caregiving issues since 1995, Gary is Founder of the first national magazine for caregivers, Today’s Caregiver, as well the original online caregiver community, caregiver.com. Gary created The Fearless Caregiver Conferences, hosted across the country, which brings together caregivers to share their knowledge, experience and wisdom as well as learning about vital products, services and technologies. Listen in and learn how Gary is creating Healing Ties all around us!

Cannot listen live? NO Worries! Healing Ties Radio is available on demand on our iHeart Channel by simply clicking here.

You can also find Healing Ties Radio on UK Health Radio by clicking here.

Visit ‘HealingTie.com/guest-appearances for all our shows by clicking here.

Or visit our Healing Ties Facebook Page to listen to all our shows by clicking here!

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July 14, 2015 · 10:52 am

Delivering an Accessible World!

Are you a Caregiver? Do you like to travel? Worried about taking your Caree on a trip? Thinking about planning a cruise, land tour, or train ride? Well, we have the solution for you! Tune in on Wednesday July 15th at 7:00 pm (EST) for another episode of ‘Healing Ties’ radio with our special guest, Andrew Garnett, President of Special Needs at Sea. Andrew has taken his passion for the special needs community and has made travel more accessible for everyone!

To listen to ‘Healing Ties’ radio live at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15th, simply click here!

Can’t listen live? NO WORRIES! Healing Ties Radio is available on demand on iHeart Radio by clicking here!

‘Healing Ties’ radio show is also syndicated in the UK on UK Health Radio by clicking here!

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Tagged as Caregivers, cruise, Healing Ties Radio, Travel

July 12, 2015 · 12:54 pm

The Era of Aging Caregivers?

Wonderful words of wisdom from one of the best Caregiving bloggers on the internet. Thanks for your great post, Ira!

Conscious Departures

An article caught my attention in the New York Times recently about the aging of non-paid caregivers (More Caregivers are no Spring Chickens) . A study cited in the article claimed there were as many as 7% non-paid caregivers over the age of 75. That doesn’t sound like many people until you learn there are some 50 million non-paid caregivers in the US. That 7% equates to about 3+ million caregivers over the age of 75. That’s astounding.

I’ve been hearing from a lot of friends and acquaintances about their aging parents still living into their late 80’s to late 90’s. I see a lot of them in Facebook photos together celebrating another 90+ birthday and still looking pretty good. One person employed at my business just lost her uncle who was 108. Despite his age he was very clear about choosing his own cremation urn before passing away and…

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