What Are You Learning The interesting thing about caregiving is that every day is different. And every day teaches us a new lesson that we can apply to our lives. They can teach us how to prepare for our own aging and even how to talk to our kids about...
Inspiration – Moment of Zen
Health Advocate – How to Fight for Your Health Care – Smilecast 13
Health Advocate – Fighting for Your Health Care It can be very frustrating as a caregiver when dealing with the care system. Only one in three physicians seeks caregiver input and one in six actually ask about your health as a caregiver. Let’s learn how to become our health advocate....
There’s an App for That – Smilecast 12
There’s an App for That When I was a caregiver for mom I learned to depend on certain apps to help me as a caregiver. There’s an app for that for many aspects of caregiving. I was partial to an app called Lotsa Helping Hands that allowed me to schedule...
Growing Older. Getting Better. Smilecast 11
Growing Older Getting Better There are numerous stereotypes about growing older. Most are not good and speak to depression and deterioration. Yet there are so many stories of positive aging and we can see them right in front of us in our communities every day. We each most take up...
Things Change – Smilecast 10
Things Change My mom had been complaining about her usual aches and pains so I took her to the doctor thinking it would be a minor visit. We got there and as soon as he examined her, he ordered us to the hospital. She had pneumonia. At 92, you start...
Prepare for Aging Starts When You Are Young – Smilecast 9
Prepare for Aging The one thing I preach to people all the time is the need to prepare for aging sooner in life. And it happens in three areas – your physical health, your financial health and your emotional health. In this epidote we look at these areas so that...
Who’s Your Security Blanket – Smilecast 8
Security Blanket In this episode I discuss the need to have a security blanket of help on your caregiving duty, something to look to for comfort and hope. A survivor of the Miracle on the Hudson had the Red Cross. What is yours? My inspiration was my sister Diane. We...
Laugh Every Day – Smilecast 7
Laugh Every Day One of the things that annoys me is that caregiving is mostly painted in drama, crisis and depression. It doesn’t have to be that way if we learn to laugh every day. Honestly, if I did not find the humor in caregiving for my mom I would...
It is Not Your Fault – When You Do Everything Right & It’s Wrong-Episode 6
It is Not Your Fault – When You Do Everything Right & It’s Wrong In my caregiving journey, I always tried to make sure I had every T crossed and I dotted. Still, being caregiver to a stubborn Italian mom, a lot of times, in her eyes, I was wrong....
The Power of a Positive Attitude When You’re a Caregiver – Episode 5
Positive Attitude A positive attitude can make all the difference when you are a family caregiver. It can’t be overstated. How you enter the day governs the rest and you want to enter each day with a great attitude about your caregiving. It will make you feel better, be a...