Caregiving can sometimes be hard:
But Hugging a Caregiver is easy!
Listen to:
My Show, ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ is on Hiatus while TLO is going through Radiation Treatment, we will be back on the air in December!
However all of our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
Wednesday September 4th, at 8:00 pm (EST) I welcome Rajiv Mehta, creator and developer of ‘Unfrazzle’ to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on ‘Blog Talk Radio. You can listen to the show live by simply clicking here!
‘Unfazzle’ is a Caregivers App which helps Caregivers not only sort out their Caregiving days, this App allows Caregivers to share information with those who are on the Caregiving team.
Raj Metha
Caregivers you are going to want to Unfrazzle!
OH and did I mention that Unfrazzle is a FREE APP!
Click here to listen to our show live!
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
I love that quote from Eleanor Roosevelt; I wonder if she had Caregivers in mind when she spoke those lovely words? Caregivers often find themselves in impossible positions balancing
work, life along with Caregiving responsibilities. Sometimes our Caregiving Cape does wear out, we are only human, even if sometimes we think that we’re not! This past week, my Caregiving Cape took its turn on the sidelines as I became the Caree. Stricken with Strep Throat, I was down and out for the count. I’ve been blessed throughout my life with very few health calamities, but this illness through both of us for the loop.
My first concern this week was for ‘The Little One’ as we both know that Strep Throat can be highly contagious. We took every precaution we could possibility think of while staying as far apart from each other was we could. One of his great lines this week was, “if I end up getting what you have, just drop me off at the hospital!” I could see the concern in his eyes! Even when I was ‘down and out’ my thoughts were always with him. Then TLO finally said, ‘When are you going to take better care of yourself!’ Not being the one who gets sick, his comments hit me square in the eye.
When one becomes concerned about everything else but self, one tends to get ill, physically, mentally, spiritually. It’s that good approach to holistic health that we all strive for in our busy caregiving day, but can be so elusive when we get lost. I know, I’ve been there! While I’ve taken the steps to deal with my weight gain (14 lbs. eliminated!) I recognize after this past week that now it is time for me to get my embrace a holistic approach to good health and spirituality which is comprehensive of my needs. This past week has been a great wake-up call for me. To ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ means to embrace all components in life, not just a select few.
As a Caregiver, we are often planning doctors appointments, transportation, meals, you name is, we plan it. But I have to wonder, do we have a plan for when we get sick? One of the ‘TLO’s’ concerns this week was simply what happens to me if you get sick? Having a plan in place, (and a back up plan to the first one, too!) is imperative to obtaining a piece of that holistic approach to good health and spirituality. Many friend will tell you when you discuss a plan, ‘don’t worry, call me at a moments notice and I will be there.’ However a plan that is not written down on a piece of paper, then confirmed by all participants, is worthless.
My plan this weekend is to make sure that all our plans are in place so that both of us can rest assured when I am not in service. I would be interested to know what plans you have in place to help deal with the onset of illness when you’re a Caregiver?
You see…We Might Have Cancer, But Cancer Does Not Have Us!
Listen to:
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
Denise Brown, Caregiving.com
It is not often someone get’s to celebrate a 17th birthday twice, but that is what is going on today with Denise Brown at Caregiving.com! Denise registered CareGiving.com seventeen years ago on August 3rd; Denise and her website continue to offer soothing support, wonderful direction for a host of family Caregivers that instantly become your extended family. Denise has been a mentor to many Caregivers and always, I MEAN ALWAYS, is there to lend her support, wisdom and care.
There are an estimated 66 million family caregivers just in the United States. Caregiving is about collaboration, not about competition. Each family Caregiver has their own Caregiving journey story to tell, yet it is through those stories where Caregivers connect with each other, understand each other, are there for each other. Denise Brown and Caregiving.com is a perfect example of this philosophy.
Take the time to visit Denise at Caregiving.com by simply clicking here! You’ll find Denise as an author, keynote speaker, radio show host and a friend to many. But what you will really find without evening knowing it, is that gentle guide and support that every caregiver needs while on their journey from someone who really does care.
I found Caregiving.com two years ago when I started to write about my Caregiving Journey and have not looked back since. Denise has encouraged me to find my voice through blogging, and my weekly radio show; my life has been changed for the better by Denise and my extended family of Caregivers on Caregiving.com Your life will be changed too by visiting Caregiving.com! Stop by today or anytime this week and wish Denise another 17th birthday and see what she has in store for everyone during her birthday celebration!
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
Can’t listen live…NO WORRIES!
All of our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
On Tuesday, June 4th at 1:00 pm (est) we welcome Suzanne Perkins-Newman, Founder and CEO of Answers For Elders.com to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio. You can listen to the show by clicking here!
Suzanne Perkins-Newman
As a successful business executive, Suzanne was thrust into the role of Caregiver for her Mom where she experienced a transformation in both her personal and professional life.
From Suzanne’s Caregiving experience, she founded Answers For Elders.com to assist Caregivers during their special Caregiving journey. 
Answers For Elders.com is a wonderful family caregiver’s resource where you will find professional experts, local resources, and helpful answers to all your care questions. The site is user-friendly and easy to maneuver! Through our conversation with Suzanne, we will all learn how to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver!’
Visit Answers For Elders by simply clicking here!
Listen to our show live on Tuesday, June 4th by simply clicking here!
Can’t listen live on Tuesday? NO Worries!
All our episodes of ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver are archived for your listening convenience by clicking here!
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
To purchase Rob’s book from Amazon.com, simply click on the icon above
On Tuesday’s ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ show, we had a wonderful conversation with acclaimed Caregiving author Rob Harris. Rob, who cares for his wife Cindy, has written a beautiful book, ‘We’re In This Together: A Caregivers Story.’ Rob’s book takes us on a Caregiver’s journey that is heartfelt, real and without a doubt, a true love story. While reading the book, I felt as if I was sitting in Rob and Cindy’s living room, having a conversation with them while sharing a cup of coffee. Rob’s ability to pinpoint his 70 Caregiving tips to his real life Caregiving experience, is a must read for anyone who is, will be, or has been a caregiver. There is a reason Rob’s book has been a #1 Amazon.com best seller in the Physicians & Patient category. I highly recommend, ‘We’re In This Together: A Caregivers Story.‘ You will not be able to put the book down! You can purchase Rob’s book through Amazon.com
You can listen to our conversation from Tuesday’s ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ show by simply clicking here.
For more information on Rob and to follow his blog, Facebook Page and Twitter updates, please visit his website at www.robcares.com or simply click the icon below. 
The Fab Four
Be sure to join us every Tuesday at 1:00pm for ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver on Blog Talk Radio. Yes, we are on the air next Tuesday, Christmas afternoon with ‘The Fab Four’ …no, not those guys from England; My four fabulous sisters! Having a sister is like having a friend for life, I am lucky enough to have four! My Caregiving genes are rooted through the love and care my sisters have demonstrated to me over the years. Our conversation Tuesday will be fun and upbeat. After this half hour, you will know why they are the ‘Fab Four’!
Remember: We might have Cancer…But Cancer Does Not Have Us!
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
TLO The Original Blueberry Pancake
While making Blueberry Pancakes recently for ‘The Little One,’ I was reminded of a blog post that I wrote last year right after he completed his round of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I wrote this post titled ‘The Tumor Extractor’ for just $19.99! This is one of my very first blog post (which is copied below) where I reflected on how hope, love, support and care are the real tumor extractors as well as how humor can play an important role in the recovery process, too. Now more than one year past the original post, I took a second look at was written and I am amazed at what (still) applies today. Now I take it one step further, as caregivers, we need to apply these same feelings and emotions to ourselves too! I have to look myself square in the eye on this one!
Dr. Starcevic with ‘The Little One’
Many of the decisions that we made over the past year or so have been centered around what was best for ‘TLO.’ As Caregivers, we know that decisions are often based on what is best for the Caree and for the most part, we’re OK with it. Yet how often do we as Caregivers say…’What is the best thing for me, the Caregiver?
It is easy to get lost in the Caregiving experience and lose sight of self. I’ve been there! Trying to regroup in the midst of Caregiving and express my own needs is by no means an easy task. For me, expressing my own needs can be scary, well…actually it is scary. Is it a sign of weakness, or failure or the messiah complex. Or am I just a rut? The bottom line is simple, when you put someone else’s needs ahead of your own, you lose sight of self. It happens before you know it. The signs are obvious to everyone, yet camouflage to self.
These are some of the critical signs that caregivers need to be aware of in relation to our own health and well-being.
I get a gold star: I score high on all five traits!
Photo Credit: Dr. Wayne Dyer
I have been conscious of these issues for quite some time, yet have been immobilized to act on it. I don’t know why, I just know that it has happened. Over the past number of weeks, ‘TLO’ has been asking me to make an appointment to see my doctor. “You need to take better care of yourself,’ he demanded! He has recognized ‘the signs’, inspired me to do something about it, and finally I acted on it.
The trip to the doctor’s office was not without anxiety. I had not seen Dr. Scalia since I left Fort Lauderdale in 2007 and much has changed since then. Going in, I knew he would ‘get-it’ as Dr. Scalia was on the team of Doctors who took care of Father Orlando, so there was immediate comfort and recognition.
Healthy Living is for everyone!
Yet at the same time, there was quite a bit of reflection on Father Orlando as Dr. Scalia was the attending physician leading up to his transition in 2006. When he entered the room, I was greeted with a warm smile…There was no need to hold back, he could see the expression on my face. We talked openly and honestly; it felt great to have someone totally focused on my needs. He did the battery of tests; EKG was normal, blood pressure normal: the blood work results and follow-up will be later in December. All the same concerns that I demonstrate for ‘TLO’ are the same concerns that both Dr. Scalia and ‘TLO’ expressed for me. That’s not a bad thing!
‘To Be A Healthy Caregiver’ does not mean just taking care of your Caree, it 
means taking care of yourself, too. I’ve taken the first steps and now need to follow through with a Care Plan for myself. The best Care Plan available to me is through Caregiving.com. Denise Brown from Carigiving.com offers a care plan that focuses on WELL:
• Wisdom comes from being attentive, grateful and curious.
•Energy comes from my food, my exercise and my physical, mental, spiritual and emotional breaks.
• Laughter comes from within myself, from my relationships and from my entertainment.
• Love comes from within myself, from my relationships and from my passions,
However, the best care plan will be for not if you don’t use it!
I often forget that my biggest supporter is the one who I care for because he knows me better than anyone else. By going to the doctor and implementing my care plan through Caregiving.com , I can take better care of myself. Not every day is a ‘Blueberry Pancake’ Day. Caring for someone who has a chronic illness is not for the faint of heart. As caregivers, 
it is essential that we to apply Love, Hope, Support and Care in relation to our needs too.
If I am going to be a provider of Love, Hope, Support and Care… Shouldn’t I be a receiver too? Yet in order to receive, you have to be open and recognize your own personal needs. For me, looking internally and owning my own feelings and emotions, then expressing those emotions and feelings will not only make me healthier, it will make be a better caregiver, too!
Below is my post from November 6th, 2011…Thanks for reading it again!
We have all seen those gadgets that they sell on TV… It seems that all those gadgets sell for just $19.99 and better yet, all these gadgets are a must need for every household! As I was preparing waffles for breakfast this morning I came across a new product called ‘The Tumor Extractor’
‘The Tumor Extractor’
Simply apply to the area of the tumor and all your troubles will be gone!
‘The Little One’ and I enjoyed a great laugh when I presented him with our new ‘Tumor Extractor’ and just think…we only spent $10,000 on chemo and radiation and could have had this gadget for $19.99! (Of course Monty Python’s Spamalot is playing in the background.) Every cancer patient and caregiver wishes there was something as quick and simple as ‘The Tumor Extractor’ to remove cancer from the body. But what is available to every cancer patient and caregiver is hope, love, support and humor. That is the true Cancer Extractor! While each one of us deals with the reality of cancer in a different way, we want to look on the bright side of life! Yesterday is gone, today is here, not sure about tomorrow. Today we are enjoying our new ‘Tumor Extractor’ even if it will only help us make waffles. It is our hope that lets us withstand stand problems…but it is our beliefs that lets us find solutions. And remember… ‘Always look on the bright side of life!’
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
In celebration of National Caregiver’s Month, I would like to welcome Hannah Munson as our guest blogger to ‘The Purple Jacket” today. Hannah is a recent Social Worker graduate who interned for two years as a caregiver in the Metro Detroit area provides us with some gentle reminders on how to avoid Caregiver Burnout.
While reading Hannah’s terrific post, I am reminded that in order to ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’, we have to take good care of ourselves, too! Thanks Hannah for your contribution today!
Caregiver Burnout: 9 Ways to Avoid It
Caregivers are the kind of people whose profession warrants them to take care of people who are no longer capable of doing it for their selves. However, we must not forget that caregivers are also human beings who also have their own bodies which also need to be taken care of. Every caregiver has to see to it that he or she is always in a good working condition. But, if there are times when he or she begins to experience burnout something must be done right away. The following are some of the ways to avoid burnout:
1. Do not keep everything to yourself.
If you feel like you need someone else who understands your predicament as a caregiver, might as well join a support group. These groups will enable you to express your anxiety, predicament and other problems without the fear of being unfairly judged.
2. Take some time off.
Caregivers must be proactive in telling their superiors that they badly need some time off for themselves. They should not wait for their supervisors to notice their being stressed out before they request for a time-off.
3. Eat nutritious foods.
This would mean that you should not just eat anything that you want. See to it that you are eating foods that will help you become healthy enough to take care of your patients or somebody else.
4. Have enough sleep.
Even if your occupation requires you to work on a graveyard shift, this should not be reason enough for you to deprive yourself of enough sleep. Always find time to have enough sleep to recharge your senses and your entire body.
5. Exercise regularly.
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to prevent burn out. When you take the time to exercise on a regular basis you will always have the chance to unwind. Get focused on your exercise and you will be relieved from stress and anxiety.
6. Find time for your favorite hobby.
Burn out is usually caused by too much exposure to highly stressful situations. One way to relax is to have time for your favorite hobby. Read if you must or indulge in your favorite sports.
7. Be informed.
Sometimes, caregivers experience stress, anxiety or that burn out feeling when they need to take care of a patient who has serious medical condition. Read and search the internet for more information regarding your patient’s condition. This way, you will become better equipped with knowledge on how to deal with your patient.
8. Express yourself.
Some caregivers would prefer to keep their sentiments to themselves because they are too shy to share it with others. Call a trusted friend with whom you can express your feelings. Letting out your emotions will prove to be one great way to relieve yourself.
9. Take time to meditate.
You do not have to go to the gym or to a Yoga class in order to have time to meditate. Just look for a quiet room in your house where you can sit comfortably and concentrate. Meditation allows you to relax and become more focused on your goals and not on the negative things that are happening in your life.
This was a post written by Hannah M. She runs the website ‘How Much Is It’. You can access her website by clicking here. “How Much Is It” a large resource that helps you find the cost on just about anything. Please, Check it out!
If you are interested in being a guest blogger on ‘The Purple Jacket” please send me an email by clicking here
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
Join us on Tuesday November 6th at 1:00 pm for ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on ‘Blog Talk Radio‘ with our special guest Michael Norfeet, Program Director of the Noble A. McArtor Adult Day Care Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Respite care is essential in the equation on how to Be a Healthy Caregiver. Participation in Adult Day Care often prevents re-hospitalization and and may delay admission to residential long term care. For participants who would otherwise stay at home alone, the social stimulation and recreational activities may improve or maintain physical or cognitive functions. For Caregivers, Adutl Day Care Center provides respite care, enabling caregivers to work or have a break from their Caregiving responsibilities.
Join us on Tuesday November 6th at 1:00 pm for ‘Be A Healthy Caregiver’ on Blog Talk Radio by clicking here
Filed under Caregiving, The Purple Jacket
Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2015, Our Caregiving Story "In Sickness and In Health: A Couple's Final Journey" written by Diane Lade and photgraphed by Carline Jean from The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Click on the photo to be taken to the original story. Photo Credit Carline Jean/Sun-Sentinel
Story 2: "Life After Death: Couple's Story Sparks Change." Click on the photo to be taken to the second story. Photo Credit Carline Jean Sun-Sentinel
Story #3 "Saying Goodbye" Click on the photo to be taken to our final story. Photo Credit Carline Jean/Sun-Sentinel
Visit Our New Whole Care Network Website by clicking on the Whole Care Network icon!
"What's The Deal With Caregiving?" is available on Amazon. Click above to see the reviews of the book and to purchase a copy of your own
As a certified accessible travel advocate, I can book all your travel plans! Ask me how you can have anything from oxygen to a hoyer lift delivered to your cruise ship stateroom or hotel around the world! For more information email me at chris@tlocruisesandtours.com
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The Purple Jacket 