Tag Archives: advocacy

August 7, 2013 · 10:30 am

A Caregivers Journey Through Music

On Thursday August 8th at 5:00 pm (est) we welcome Oncologist, Dr. Rick Boulay to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio! To listen to our show live, simply click here!

Rick Boulay, MD is a Board Certified Gynecologic Oncologist and serves as Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, PA. While Dr. Boulay is highly recognized in his field, but there is much more to his story!

At the young age of 4, Rick was faced with the tragic news of his Grandmama being diagnosed with Colon Cancer. As an adult, Rick wife was diagnosed with Leukemia. Through his Caregiving Journey, Rick learned that peace and hoped dwells within all of us. But the road is not always smooth!

On Thursday’s show, we’ll explore not only Dr. Boulay’s work, we’ll listen to tracks from one of his three CD’s, Love A Caregivers’ Journey, and talk about the Catherine Boulay Foundation in honor of his Grandmama and all those touched by cancer.

While listening to Rick’s beautiful music, we’ll be able to connect our Caregiving journey through song. And without a doubt, through our conversation with Dr. Boulay, we will all learn how to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver!’

We will be taking your calls during our second segment at 646.478.3716

Visit Dr. Boulay at Journey Through Cancer by simply clicking here!

Visit the Catherine Boulay Foundation by simply clicking here!

Cannot listen to our show live…NO Worries! All of our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!

With Alzheimer’s Disease at All Time High, Eldercare Expert Judie… (prweb.com)
Happy Birthday Caregiving.com! (thepurplejacket.com)
Meals to Heal Announces Partnership with Caregiver Action Network (prweb.com)
Caregivers: Avoiding Self-Pity (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregivers: Sink Your Teeth Into Dental Hygiene! (thepurplejacket.com)

3 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as advocacy, Be A Healthy Caregiver, Gynecologic Oncology, Rick Boulay, The Bow-Tie-Guy

August 4, 2013 · 11:08 am

Guests this Week On ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

On Tuesday August 6 at 1:00 pm (EST) join us for a discussion on ‘DOMA: What It Means To You; with Attorney Stephanie Schneider and Certified Financial Planner David Treece. To listen to our show live on Tuesday, simply click here!

David Treece

Thursday August 8th at 5:00 pm (EST) enjoy the beautiful music of Gynecologic Oncologist, Dr. Rick Boulay as we explore a Caregivers Journey through Music. To listen to our show live on Thursday, simply click here!

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

‘Hug A Caregiver’ Day! (thepurplejacket.com)
“Be a Healthy Caregiver” Now Heard Twice a Week (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregiver Job Applicants Summer Photo Contest By Caregiverlist (prweb.com)
Meals to Heal Announces Partnership with Caregiver Action Network (prweb.com)

1 Comment

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

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

July 29, 2013 · 10:30 am

Elder Care Mediation

Join us Tuesday, July 30th at 1:00 pm (EST) for a conversation with Doris Haas and Bonnie Pará from Elder Care Mediation. Doris and Bonnie are both Florida Supreme Court Mediators with extensive experience in senior care. To listen to our show live, simply click here!

Families are complex entities, and it is not unusual for submerged anger or conflict to boil up in times of stress. Siblings can often find it difficult to work together to help their aging parents, especially when there is unresolved conflict between them. It can feel impossible to think about being together to make decisions regarding the well-being of their parents. Hence the need for Elder Care Mediation!

Our episode on Tuesday will surround the importance of Elder Care Mediation and why having an objective third person involved in the process is beneficial to everyone. Through our conversation with Doris and Bonnie, we will all learn how to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver!’

To learn more about Elder Care Mediation, simply click here!

To listen to our show live, simply click here!

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

KEVE announces new mediation service (cyprus-mail.com)
Online Mediation (schulerteamediation.wordpress.com)
‘Be a Healthy Caregiver’ with Chris MacLellan of SunServe, adds Tuesday, Thursday broadcasts (miamiherald.typepad.com)
Family Mediation | eLocal (elocallawyers.com)
Superwomen (and men) of the sandwich generation (eldermediationsocal.com)
Mediation (techgiantsbd.wordpress.com)
Elder Law: Not too late for summer respite (cumberlink.com)
Caring For Indy’s Growing Black Senior Citizen Community. Hear A Special AWA On This Important Issue (praiseindy.com)

Caregivers: This Week On ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’

This week on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio I welcome:

‘Elder Care Mediation’: Tuesday at 1:00 pm (EST) with

Doris Hass and Bonnie Pará from

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

_____________________________________________________

‘Caregiving Has No Boarders’: Thursday at 8:00 pm (EST) with

Author Rick Lauber

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

Cannot listen to our shows live…NO Worries! All our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!

“Be a Healthy Caregiver” Now Heard Twice a Week (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregivers: This Week on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)
Caregivers: The Sandwich Generation (thepurplejacket.com)
Creating A Caregiving Team on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)
Careful What You Say! Babies Understand More Than You Think (babyzone.com)
Caregiving Can Change Your Heart (thepurplejacket.com)

‘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 20, 2013 · 7:30 am

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 12, 2013 · 8:46 pm

‘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!

To visit Bruce online, simply click here!

Listen to

every Tuesday at 1:00pm.

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

New three-story senior housing project proposed for former Topsham nursing home site (bangordailynews.com)
Senior Housing Solutions on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ (thepurplejacket.com)
“When Home is no longer a Safe Haven” Massachusetts Living Options for Seniors (briskelderlaw.com)
Caregivers: Where Do You Look For Answers? (thepurplejacket.com)
WeismerHouse.com Talks About Benefits Of Senior Housing (bitcontrolsystem.wordpress.com)
HUD home loans for senior housing (reply.com)

2 Comments

Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket

Tagged as advocacy, Be A Healthy Caregiver, Caregiver, Nursing home, Retirement home, The Bow-Tie-Guy

May 19, 2013 · 10:25 am

Tuesday on ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’: Benjamin Azevedo

On Tuesday May 21st at 1:00 pm (est), we welcome Benjamin Azevedo, M.D. from New Orléans Bow Ties to our ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ show on Blog Talk Radio. Ben is a recent graduated from Tulane University in New Orléans and will be heading to San Diego to start his residency program later this summer. To listen to our show, simply click here!

Ben has always resonated with the idea that there are two sides to the brain; the left being in charge of linear analytical thinking and focuses, ordered, logical execution while the right is more expansive, creative, and boundless. During his first year in medical school, Ben realized that he was letting his left brain take control of his life and strip it of the art and music and imagination that his family had fostered throughout his life. He put a conscious effort into letting go of his stress and thrust himself into the exploration of what his right brain had to offer.

Ben began to cook, to draw, to exercise more and to get out into nature. Then the idea came of creating beautiful bow ties which has become a conversational piece in his work, while allowing his right brain to explore!

Ben’s passion and life goals are in medicine and public health, but he has realized that without a healthy balance of the dreaming artist and the practical scholar, he would be less happy, less productive, and miss out on the vibe of his favorite city. He is grateful for a hardworking team that believes in his vision and allows him to lead a life that balances fashion and scholarship.

Every day as he looks in the mirror, buttons his shirt collar, and methodically ties his hand-made bow tie, he is reminded of the balance he is seeking. His left brain is satisfied by the process, the order, and the crisp look of the bright silk in parallel with his smile, while his right brain expounds on the imperfect asymmetry of the knot and the creativity that got him to this point.