The Purple Jacket

July 2, 2013 · 5:13 pm

Caregivers: Sometimes You Just Have To Ask!

Tuesday on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’, I had the pleasure to visit with author and Caregiving expert, Dr. Amy D’Aprix. During our conversation, Dr. Amy recanted a story about a taxi driver who was able to help her out with a simple request for an envelope. Not knowing why she even asked the taxi driver for an envelope, she in turned learned a great lesson from the taxi driver when he said to her, “when you need something in life, you need to ASK, ASK, ASK!”

As Caregivers, we can fall into the trap thinking that “we can do it all”, yet when it is time for a break or time for respite, sometimes we don’t know how to ask for help. Having the ability to ask for help is one of the first ways to help ease Caregiver stress.

The main Caregiver in a family is usually the lead when it relates to disseminating information to family, friends and neighbors. Sometimes those family, friends and neighbors are just a conversation away from being in a position to help. Help is not always assumed, and sometimes in order to get what you want, you just have to ASK, ASK, ASK!”

I am asking you today is to simply listen to an archived version of Tuesday’s show, because I am confident that you’ll find some soothing words of wisdom from Dr. Amy because we all want to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

To listen to an archived version of our show, simply click here!

Dr. Amy D’Aprix

Marki Flannery: The Caregivers’ Guide to Summer Travel (bruceandsallywitt.wordpress.com)
Caregivers: Avoiding Self-Pity (thepurplejacket.com)
How to Travel While Caring for a Senior (prweb.com)
The CareGiver Partnership Announces 2 July Sweepstakes Prizes (prweb.com)
Caregiving Can Change Your Heart (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregivers: Where Do You Look For Answers? (thepurplejacket.com)
Local Family Caregiver Stress Relief Program Announced (homeinsteadsonoma.com)
In-Home Care Company Offers New A-Z Video Tips for Elder Caregiving (prweb.com)
The Balm for Caregiving Pain (caregiving.com)
Seven Steps to Surviving Alzheimers Disease (survivingalz.wordpress.com)

7 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Caregiver, Home care

June 30, 2013 · 10:01 am

Dr. Amy D’Aprix Featured On ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

On Tuesday, July 2nd at 1:00 pm (est) I am pleased to welcome Dr. Amy D’Aprix to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio! To listen to our show live, simply click here!

Dr. D’Aprix is an aging, retirement and Caregiving expert and the developer of the free Home Instead Senior Care Alzheimer’s Care Training Program for family Caregivers. An accomplished author and educator, Dr. D’Aprix passion for Caregiving is driven both from her professional background, as well as her own 10 years of Caregiving experience for her parents.

Our conversation on Tuesday will not only focus on Dr. D’Aprix excellent work, we’ll chat about how Caregivers can take better care of themselves while caring for a chronically ill, aged or disabled senior. Through our conversation with Dr. D’Aprix, we will all learn how to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver!’

To listen to our show live, simply click here!

Can’t listen live…NO WORRIES! All of our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!

Caregiving Can Change Your Heart (thepurplejacket.com)
Local Caregiver Stress Relief Program Announced (batonrouge.myhomecareblog.com)
‘Granny Suites’…How Cool Is That! (thepurplejacket.com)
Marki Flannery: The Caregivers’ Guide to Summer Travel (bruceandsallywitt.wordpress.com)
Pathways For Aging featured on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)
Today: Save 20% in Our Store (caregiving.com)
One in Four American Adults Are Family Caregivers, Study Reports (counselheal.com)
Senior care office launches Family Caregiver Stress Relief campaign (myfox8.com)
Senior Housing Solutions on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)

4 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

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

June 26, 2013 · 4:32 pm

‘Granny Suites’…How Cool Is That!

Tuesday on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’, I had the pleasure to visit with Hank and Henry Moseley from Home Care Suites. To listen to our show, simply click here!

A recent PEWS survey indicated that almost half of the adults in the United States feel that at some time in their life, they will be caring for a parent or an adult member of their family. When you take into consideration that there are over 44 million working family caregivers in the country, it goes without saying that we spend quite a bit of time caring!

Home Care Suites offers a unique option for Senior living by building custom tailored ‘Granny’ Suites ( I just love that description) right in the convenience of your own back yard. The homes are cost and energy-efficient, while offering a technology package which provides safety and security for the entire family.

What attracted me to Home Care Suites was not only their quality product, or their excellent reputation, it was their ability to take a concept and make it work that is practical for everyone in a family! Home Care Suites provides an excellent option for senior living which allows for autonomy, safety and cost efficiency. And to top that off, you get the personal attention from a Father/Son team that is not only experienced and knowledgeable, they understand what it means to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver!’

Be sure to visit Home Care Suites on-line and check out all the wonderful options they offer in Senior living by simply clicking here!

Listen to:

Every Tuesday on Blog Talk Radio!

To access all our episodes, simply click here!

Need for New York Home Care (newyorkhomecare.wordpress.com)
Family Caregiver Numbers Increase, More Likely To Use The Internet As Their Primary Health Resource (medicaldaily.com)
Caregiver Distress/Lisa Rabito/Home Instead Senior Care (wgno.com)
Senior care office launches Family Caregiver Stress Relief campaign (myfox8.com)
Gold Care Holdings Ltd acquires Viridian Housing care home portfolio (savills.co.uk)
Proposed Co-Pay for Home Health Care (medicarepathways.com)
Families bear burden of care for seniors, says expert (cbc.ca)

2 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as advocacy, Blog Talk Radio, Caregiver, Health, Home care, Nursing home, The Bow-Tie-Guy

June 24, 2013 · 8:09 pm

Caregivers: Avoiding Self-Pity

Let’s face it, sometimes Caregiving can be hard. We do what we can and we forge ahead, sometimes it is simply mind over matter. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.’ I believe that her quote can be a motto for every family caregiver!

Eleanor Roosevelt: political activist, First L...

Eleanor Roosevelt: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I thought about Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote today after having a conversation with another family caregiver who asked me how I avoid self-pity when in the midst of Caregiving. His question forced me to look (hard) at my role as a Caregiver and the times when I fell into the trap of self-pity. I concluded that (my) self-pity comes out in negative comments or better yet, (actually worse yet!) negative non-verbals. When we are in the midst of Caregiving, it is easy to fall into those negative traps. This conversation today reminded me of one very simple statement that ‘TLO’ taught me from his Caregiving experience with his partner Herman. ‘Remember, it’s the disease talking, not the person!’ Wow! Learning from your caree is one of the greatest gifts we can receive as a caregiver! The conversation also served as a gentle reminder to me that when those late night Caregiving duties arrive, as hard as they might be, they are not planned, they just happen. (It’s the disease talking, duh!)

As Caregivers, we can lose a sense of self in our role as a Caregiver. Avoiding self-pity can be as simple as finding a way to turn a negative into a positive. Some other tips that I have found helpful along the Caregiving Journey are:

Share your story with other Caregivers
Join a support group ( I recommend Caregiving.com)
Journal or Blog about your experience
Block out time for yourself, even if it’s just 5 minutes
Remember, “It’s the disease talking, not your caree!
Reach Out for Help, it’s a sign of strength not weakness
Be kind to yourself!

Self-pity only makes the Caregiving experience more difficult; I am thankful that I had a friend today who was willing to challenge his own Caregiving issues, while in turn, helping me with my Caregiving issues too! Eleanor Roosevelt had it right…’With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.’

You see, we might have Cancer;

But Cancer does not have us!

Listen to

Every Tuesday at 1:00 pm (est)

Can’t listen live…NO Worries! All our episodes are archived for your listening convenience by simply clicking here!

Chris MacLellan is a Caregiver for his partner Richard Schiffer who suffers from Esophagus Cancer

Related articles

ARGH!!! to “Family Caregivers Don’t Self-Identify” (caregiving.com)
Senior care office launches Family Caregiver Stress Relief campaign (myfox8.com)
One in Four American Adults Are Family Caregivers, Study Reports (counselheal.com)
Caregiver Distress/Lisa Rabito/Home Instead Senior Care (wgno.com)
Cook for a Caregiver Is Friday (caregiving.com)

12 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as advocacy, advocate, Be A Healthy Caregiver, Caregiver, Caregiving, Caregiving.com, Eleanor Roosevelt, The Bow-Tie-Guy

June 23, 2013 · 9:01 am

Home Care Suites Featured on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

On Tuesday June 25 at 1:00 pm (est) I am pleased to welcome Henry and Hank Moseley from Home Care Suites to my show, ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio. To listen to our show live, simply click here!

Home Care Suites offer a unique and affordable solutions when it comes to senior housing. The Home Care Suite or ‘granny flat’ is a custom assembled structure placed on a caretaker’s home property. Home Care Suites units are built for senior living with a focus on accessibility. As an option to an expensive retirement home or living alone, Home Care Suites keep families close and independent, while providing a financial solution for quality senior living! Through our conversation with Henry and Hank, we will all learn how to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

Henry Moseley, Jr

Henry Moseley, III

To visit Home Care Suites website, simply click here!

To listen to our show live on Tuesday, simply click here!

Can’t listen live to our show on Tuesday…NO Worries!!! All our shows are archived for your listening convenience by simply clicking here!

Caregivers: Where Do You Look For Answers? (thepurplejacket.com)
Elder Law: Supercaregiver Part 1 (cumberlink.com)
Golden Years in the Golden Triangle (local.answers.com)
How to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse (health-host.co.uk)
ARGH!!! to “Family Caregivers Don’t Self-Identify” (caregiving.com)
Caregiving Can Change Your Heart (thepurplejacket.com)
‘SNIF’ Out Your Senior Housing Options! (thepurplejacket.com)
Family Caregiver Numbers Increase, More Likely To Use The Internet As Their Primary Health Resource (medicaldaily.com)

1 Comment

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

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

June 21, 2013 · 1:53 pm

Why Did I Become a Writer? | by Linda Brendle

Sometimes the courage to write must come from within!

Linda Brendle's Life After Caregiving

I posted an article in August of 2011 called “When Did I Know I Wanted to Be a Writer?” This morning I came across an article on Positive Writer announcing a writing contest called “You Are a Writer.” It sounded like fun, so I’m rerunning that 2011 post as my entry. I hope you enjoy it – again.

When Did You Know You Wanted to Be a Writer?

One of my Facebook/writer friends recently posed this question and quickly received a number of responses. I thought about it a while and told her my answer was too long for a FB response and that I’d write a blog post about it. So Krista, this one’s for you.

View original post 847 more words

Thursdays are always ‘Have You Hugged’ A Caregiver Day

Caregiving can sometimes be hard:

But Hugging a Caregiver is easy!

Listen to:

Tuesday’s at 1:00 pm (EST) and Thursday’s at 8:00 pm!

Can’t listen live…NO WORRIES!

All of our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!

Growth in Structured Family Caregiving Program: Caregiver Homes Announces New Management of Two Massachusetts Locations (prweb.com)
Caregivers: Where Do You Look For Answers? (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregiving Can Change Your Heart (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregiving Husband of 27 Years Hitting the Airwaves with a New Radio Show to Offer Hand of Experience to Fellow Caregivers (prweb.com)
Supporting Family Caregivers with Leave Policies in the Workplace (aarp.org)
Senior Housing Solutions on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)
Who Takes Care Of The Caregiver? (specialneedsparenting.net)

2 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as advocacy, advocate, Be A Healthy Caregiver, Caregiver, Caregiver Support, Health, The Bow-Tie-Guy

June 16, 2013 · 8:51 am

Pathways For Aging featured on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

Jeannie Krause-Taylor

On Tuesday, June 18th at 1:00 pm (EST) I am pleased to welcome Jeannie Krause-Taylor MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM, founder of Pathway For Aging to our show, ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio. To listen to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ live, simply click here!

Located in St. Louis, Pathways For Aging works to help the Aging Population improve Quality of Life so all can Age Well.

Some of the services offered at Pathways for Aging

Assistance and support for caregivers
Counseling and psychotherapy services for older and some disabled adults
Support and guidance in making difficult end-of-life decisions
Support groups tailored to your organization

Our conversation on Tuesday will center around Ageism in the media and the vital role Pathway For Aging plays not only for Caregiver, but for the entire Senior community in the metropolitan St. Louis area. Through our conversation with Jeannie, we will all learn how to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver!’

To listen to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ live on Tuesday, June 18th at 1:00pm (EST) simply click here!

To learn more about Pathways For Aging, simply click here!

To visit Pathways For Aging on Facebook, simply click here!

To learn more about Jeannie Krause-Taylor, simply click here!

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

Caregivers: Where Do You Look For Answers? (thepurplejacket.com)
For the Alzheimer’s Caregiver, Depression Is a Real Risk (everydayhealth.com)
‘SNIF’ Out Your Senior Housing Options! (thepurplejacket.com)
Elder Care: Balancing a Loved One’s Needs With Your Own (everydayhealth.com)
Caregivers: How Do You Relieve Stress? (thepurplejacket.com)
Senior Housing Solutions on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)

3 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as advocacy, advocate, Be A Healthy Caregiver, Blog Talk Radio, Caregiver, The Bow-Tie-Guy

June 13, 2013 · 8:00 am

‘Hug A Caregiver’ Day

Listen to

Every Tuesday at 1:00pm (est)

Can’t listen live…NO Worries…All our episodes are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!

‘SNIF’ Out Your Senior Housing Options!

On Tuesday June 11th on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio, I had the pleasure of speaking with Senior Housing expert Bruce Rosenblatt. Bruce is the Founder and CEO of Senior Housing Solutions and has been in the involved in the sales and marketing of senior housing communities for nearly 25 years. Not only is Bruce knowledgeable and an excellent resource is the field of senior housing, Bruce is compassionate and is a terrific communicator!

To listen to this episode of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ simply click here!

During our conversation, we spoke at great lengths about the different levels of Senior Housing that are available to families and their loved ones to choose from. Just like buying a car, there are many brands with many options. It is important for us to choose wisely and read all contractual obligations in the contract before signing on the dotted line.

Here are some tips to consider when searching for senior housing:

Do your research on the proprietor, the property and the neighborhood:
Decide where you want to live:
Don’t be afraid to ask the difficult questions relating to continuing of care and financial obligations:
Be proactive and not reactive:
Don’t go solo, engage an objective 3rd person to help in the process.

Moving is often an emotional and traumatic experience for seniors and their families. Being proactive, while allowing your loved one to have a voice in the process will help create a smooth transition. Having someone like Bruce Rosenblatt on your team ensures that when those ‘i’s’ are dotted and those ‘t’s’ are crossed, you can be assured that your loved one is safe and secure!

To listen to this episode of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ simply click here!