
AwareGiver - The CareGiver Oasis Radio Show
By AwareGiver

AwareGiver - The CareGiver Oasis Radio ShowMay 24, 2023

Hurricane Preparation for Caregivers, Sponsored by Tidings Media
Hurricane preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially caregivers who are responsible for the well-being and safety of others. When caring for individuals during a hurricane or any other natural disaster, it's essential to have a plan in place to ensure their safety and comfort. Here are some guidelines for hurricane preparedness for caregivers:
Create an Emergency Plan:
Identify the nearest hurricane shelters and evacuation routes. Determine how you will transport the person you are caring for in case of an evacuation. Prepare a list of emergency contacts, including healthcare providers, family members, and local authorities. Share the emergency plan with other family members, neighbors, or friends who can provide assistance if needed.Stock Up on Supplies:
Have a sufficient supply of necessary medications for the individual you are caring for, including any medical equipment they may require. Stock up on non-perishable food items, bottled water, and other essential supplies such as batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, and personal hygiene products. Consider the specific needs of the person you are caring for, such as dietary restrictions, mobility aids, or communication devices, and ensure you have the necessary supplies.Maintain Communication:
Ensure you have a reliable means of communication, such as a charged cellphone or a battery-powered radio, to stay updated on the storm's progress and receive emergency alerts. Have a backup power source, such as a generator or power bank, to keep essential devices charged. Share your contact information with trusted neighbors, friends, or family members who can check on you and the person you are caring for.Secure the Environment:
Clear the surroundings of any potential hazards, such as loose objects or debris that may be carried by strong winds. Reinforce windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood. Have a plan for safely moving the person you are caring for to a secure area within the home, away from windows and exterior walls.Monitor Health and Well-being:
Stay vigilant about the health needs of the person you are caring for, especially during stressful situations. Keep an adequate supply of necessary medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks or mobility aids, and ensure they are in good working condition. Have a plan for accessing medical care if needed, such as knowing the location of nearby medical facilities that may remain open during the storm.Stay Informed and Calm:
Stay updated on weather reports and follow the guidance of local authorities. Remain calm and reassuring to the person you are caring for, as they may be more susceptible to stress and anxiety during the hurricane. Engage in calming activities such as reading, playing games, or listening to music to help alleviate stress for both you and the person you are caring for.Remember, every caregiving situation is unique, and it's important to adapt these guidelines to the specific needs of the person you are caring for. It is also recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or local emergency management agencies for additional guidance on hurricane preparedness for caregivers.

What Happens When You Die With No Money for a Funeral?
This edition of AwareGiver the Caregiver Radio Oasis is sponsored in part by Final Expense Florida. You can reach a licensed Florida agent for Final Expense Florida at (888)434-6471 Extension 2.
When someone dies and they don't have money, their family or loved ones may be responsible for paying for their final expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. If there are no funds available, it may become a financial burden for those left behind.
Final Expense Insurance is a type of life insurance that is designed to cover the costs associated with a person's final expenses. This type of insurance is also known as burial insurance, funeral insurance, or end-of-life insurance. It is typically a smaller life insurance policy that is purchased to cover the costs of funeral expenses and other final expenses.
The policyholder pays monthly premiums, and in the event of their death, the beneficiary receives a lump-sum payment that can be used to pay for funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and other final expenses. The coverage amount for final expense insurance is typically lower than for other types of life insurance policies, and the premiums are generally more affordable.
Final Expense Insurance can provide peace of mind for those who want to ensure that their final expenses will be covered without creating a financial burden for their loved ones. It's important to note, however, that like other types of life insurance, there are eligibility requirements and exclusions that may apply.

4 Pieces of Advice for Caregivers, from Caregivers
Tips for Caregivers from NPR's Life Kit podcast. You can listen and follow here : https://open.spotify.com/show/5J0xAfsLX7bEYzGxOin4Sd?si=3hxRTvV3R72G3Ci5l5GzTA&nd=1
The audio portion of this episode was produced by Sylvie Douglas and edited by Meghan Keane. Marielle Segarra is our host. The digital story was edited by Danielle Nett. Our visuals editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.
Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or sign up for our newsletter.

Childproofing Your Home - Several Safety Devices to Help Protect Your Children from Home Hazards
Each year, children are injured by hazards in and around the home. The good news is that the risk of injury can be reduced or prevented by using recommended safety practices, by using child products that meet safety standards, and by using child-safety devices. Most of the safety devices are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. To be effective, they must be properly installed and reengaged after use. Follow installation instructions carefully. Remember, too, that no device is completely childproof; determined toddlers have been known to overcome or disable them.
This edition of AwareGiver - the CareGiver Radio Oasis is sponsored by KinderGard child safety products, with information provided by the Consumer Products Safety Commission of the United States Government.
AwareGiver is on the Spotify Podcast Network. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/awaregiver

FDA Postpones Decision On Juul's Vaping Products
The FDA Postpones A Long-Awaited Decision On Juul's Vaping Products
The Food and Drug Administration said it has ruled on whether some electronic cigarette products can remain on the market, but that it's also delaying action on products made by Juul, which accounts for 40% of the e-cigarette market.
The FDA said Thursday it has issued marketing denial orders for more than 946,000 flavored vaping products because their applications "lacked sufficient evidence that they have a benefit to adult smokers sufficient to overcome the public health threat posed by the well-documented, alarming levels of youth use of such products."
The decisions encompass 93% of the applications companies submitted for approval – but Juul, the largest vape company, was not included in Thursday's action.
A federal judge had given the FDA one year to act on a flood of applications submitted by vape companies in a decision stemming from a lawsuit brought by anti-tobacco groups. The agency said it's made progress but needs more time.
"We continue to work expeditiously on the remaining applications that were submitted by the court's Sept. 9, 2020, deadline, many of which are in the final stages of review," the FDA said.
This audio news story was provided to AwareGiver by NPR

Pufferfish Toxin Holds Clues To Treating 'Lazy Eye' In Adults
Pufferfish Toxin Holds Clues To Treating 'Lazy Eye' In Adults
A treatment that simulates the loss of an eye may help adults with the vision impairment known as amblyopia or "lazy eye."
This audio story provided to AwareGiver by NPR.

Best Timing For Rehabilitation After A Stroke
The Best Time For Rehabilitation After A Stroke Might Actually Be 2 To 3 Months Later
People who have had a stroke appear to regain more hand and arm function if intensive rehabilitation starts two to three months after the injury to their brain.
This audio story was provided to AwareGiver by NPR.
A study of 72 stroke patients suggests this is a "critical period," when the brain has the greatest capacity to rewire, a team reports in this week's journal PNAS.
The finding challenges the current practice of beginning rehabilitation as soon as possible after a stroke and suggests intensive rehabilitation should go on longer than most insurance coverage allows, says Elissa Newport, a co-author of the study and director of the Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery at Georgetown University Medical Center.
"Two to three months after a stroke is when people are at home," Newport notes. "That's not when most people are having their rehabilitation."

Is The Worst of Covid Over?
Americans may be able to breathe a tentative sigh of relief soon, according to researchers studying the trajectory of the pandemic.
The delta surge appears to be peaking nationally, and cases and deaths will likely decline steadily now through the spring without a significant winter surge, according to a new analysis shared with NPR by a consortium of researchers advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This audio story provided to AwareGiver by NPR.
For its latest update, which it will release Wednesday, the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub combined nine different mathematical models from different research groups to get an outlook for the pandemic for the next six months.
"Any of us who have been following this closely, given what happened with delta, are going to be really cautious about too much optimism," says Justin Lessler at the University of North Carolina, who helps run the hub. "But I do think that the trajectory is towards improvement for most of the country," he says.
The modelers developed four potential scenarios, taking into account whether or not childhood vaccinations take off and whether a more infectious new variant should emerge.
The most likely scenario, says Lessler, is that children do get vaccinated and no super-spreading variant emerges. In that case, the combo model forecasts that new infections would slowly, but fairly continuously, drop from about 140,000 today now to about 9,000 a day by March.
Deaths from COVID-19 would fall from about 1,500 a day now to fewer than 100 a day by March 2022.

Stuck In A Rut? Sometimes Joy Takes A Little Practice

How A Hospital And A School District Teamed Up To Help Kids In Emotional Crisis
How A Hospital And A School District Teamed Up To Help Kids In Emotional Crisis
provided by NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/26/1000400903/n-y-hospital-schools-aim-to-improve-kids-access-to-mental-health-provider
In 2019, the Rockville Centre school district in Long Island, N.Y., was shaken by a string of student deaths, including the suicides of a recent graduate and a current student.
"When you get these losses, one after the other, you almost can't get traction on normalcy," says Noreen Leahy, an assistant superintendent at the school district. "You can't get traction on kids functioning on a day-to-day basis in a school setting."
To Leahy, the student suicides were a symptom of a children's mental health crisis that had been brewing for years. She had observed a concerning uptick in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among students. Her school district had a team of mental health professionals, but Leahy says they couldn't provide the kind of long-term care many students needed.
"Remember, psychologists and social workers and counselors in school districts are there to make sure kids are learning," says Leahy. "We're not hospital wards. We don't do psychotherapy. So it's very limited what we can do for these students."
She says she saw an urgent need to connect students to mental health care quickly and easily, and the 2019 tragedy drove her to find a way to make that happen.
Her vision ultimately led to the formation of a unique partnership between several Long Island Island school districts and the nearby children's hospital, Cohen Children's Medical Center, which is part of the Northwell Health system. That partnership provides prompt access to mental health care services for students and includes ongoing support for school staff for dealing with kids' mental health, creating a mental health safety net for children and families in the area that didn't exist before.
The heart of it is a new behavioral health center focused on serving kids in the community, which the hospital opened in January 2020. Students are evaluated by the center's child psychiatrist and mental health counselor, who start and continue treatment till a child can be connected to long-term care in the community.
Mental health experts point to this school-hospital partnership as an effective model — one that meets a growing and urgent need to help children get mental health treatment and avoid unnecessary hospitalization.
"It's a real step forward," says Glenn Thomas, a clinical psychologist at Nationwide Children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. "So many kids and families slip through the cracks because of a lack of resources."
'I just wish there was a place to send these kids'
The concerning rise in mental health issues noticed by school administrators mirrors national trends. Roughly 1 in 5 U.S. children meet criteria for a mental health disorder, and the rate of suicide attempts among youth has risen over the past decade, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
continued here ...https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/26/1000400903/n-y-hospital-schools-aim-to-improve-kids-access-to-mental-health-provider

New Device Taps Brain Signals To Help Stroke Patients
New Device Taps Brain Signals To Help Stroke Patients
from NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/06/13/1005556094/new-device-taps-brain-signals-to-help-stroke-patients-regain-hand-function
The Food And Drug Administration has authorized a device called IpsiHand, which uses signals from the uninjured side of a patient's brain to help rewire circuits controlling the hand, wrist and arm.

BREAKING NEWS : Governor DeSantis Announces Increase in Alzheimer's Funding
Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a news conference Monday morning 6/21/21 at an assisted living facility in Jacksonville to highlight funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia care and treatment in the state’s budget.
Governor Ron DeSantis spoke from The Windsor at San Pablo in Jacksonville Monday morning, highlighting the efforts made towards the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's.

A New Type Of COVID-19 Vaccine Could Debut Soon
A new kind of COVID-19 vaccine could be available as soon as this summer. - from NPR
It's what's known as a protein subunit vaccine. It works somewhat differently from the current crop of vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. but is based on a well-understood technology and doesn't require special refrigeration.
In general, vaccines work by showing people's immune systems something that looks like the virus but really isn't. Consider it an advance warning; if the real virus ever turns up, the immune system is ready to try to squelch it.
In the case of the coronavirus, that "something" is one of the proteins in the virus — the spike protein.
The vaccines made by Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer contain genetic instructions for the spike protein, and it's up to the cells in our bodies to make the protein itself.
The first protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine to become available will likely come from the biotech company, Novavax. In contrast to the three vaccines already authorized in the U.S., it contains the spike protein itself — no need to make it, it's already made — along with an adjuvant that enhances the immune system's response, to make the vaccine even more protective.
Protein subunit vaccines made this way have been around for a while. There are vaccines on the market for hepatitis B and pertussis based on this technology.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/06/06/1003328413/new-type-of-covid-vaccine-could-debut-soon

Unpaid Caregivers Were Already Struggling. It's Only Gotten Worse During The Pandemic
Unpaid Caregivers Were Already Struggling. It's Only Gotten Worse During The Pandemic
from NPR
To see a written copy of the article in this episode, visit

Natural Emergency Preparedness for Caregivers
This list was provided by the Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org/resource/emergency-preparedness-checklist-caregivers/#)
Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Caregivers
Floods, earthquakes, tornados, snowstorms . . . wherever you live, there likely exists the potential for a variety of natural disasters that can create an emergency situation. When you’re caring for a loved one, it’s times like these that you’ll be thankful for having prepared for such a situation.
Please use this checklist to organize your emergency preparations. It should be used in conjunction with the Where to Find My Important Papers checklist.
Do I know the most important disaster issues for the area where I live (earthquakes, floods,etc)?
Do I know how I should respond to a disaster that might strike with little or no warning?
Do I know the recommended evacuation route if there were an evacuation order?
What are my transportation options?
Where is the nearest shelter?
Do I know where the shut off valves to my home are? Do I know how to shut them off? If special tools are needed, do I have them? Do I know where they are?
Do I have an emergency contact person who lives out of the area? Do my relatives or close friends know who this person is?
Do I know my neighbors in case we need to help each other in an emergency?
If I’m receiving home health services, have I discussed emergency procedures with the provider?
If I have special needs, do I have a plan for dealing with them in an emergency? ( Mobility, medical equipment, incontinence supplies, others)
If I live in a senior community, am I familiar with its emergency planning and procedures?
Home Supplies Checklist
Drinking water (3-6 day supply) Food (3-6 day supply, requires no cooking, high energy) Flashlight (check batteries regularly) Portable radio (check batteries regularly) First aid kit Spare batteries Manual can opener Light sticks Waterproof matches Medications Medications list Cell phone Cash Emergency medical form Personal hygiene items Backup prescription glasses Extra clothes Rain slicker Walking shoes Blankets Water bottles Dust masks Other ____________________________________This list was provided by the Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org/resource/emergency-preparedness-checklist-caregivers/#)

FDA approves first new Alzheimer's disease drug in nearly 20 years
The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved the use of the experimental drug aducanumab for early phases of Alzheimer's disease
The FDA approved aducanumab, also known as Aduhelm, using its "accelerated approval" program, which allows for the earlier approval of a drug for a serious or life-threatening illness even though more study into the drug's benefits may be needed.

Credit For Caring Act Provides Up To $5,000 to Caregivers
Jojn Dave Happe from AwareGiver as he announces an endorsement of the Credit for Caring Act which will provide up to $5,000 to caregivers to help offset caregiving expenses and provide for technology subsidy to help caregivers taking care of people in residential settings.
You can see the AwareGiver endorsement letter for the Credit for Caring Act here :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DVcO3ktdXBjbb7GGZdXX5Mq8c6pNUaN-/view?usp=sharing

Caregiver 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟏 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 will be on the AwareGiver Radio Show on Friday March 5th (12:00 Noon Eastern) to answer our questions on nutrition for the baby boom generation (and their caregivers).
Jessica Johnson has been a registered dietitian for over 20 years. Jessica completed graduate
work and the Dietetic Internship through The Florida Department of Health and University of North Florida. Jessica has focused the majority of her nutrition practice serving Florida's most vulnerable populations first by working within County Health Departments serving clients of the
WIC program and low-income senior citizens and now consulting in long term care facilities in the Tampa Bay area. Jessica is passionate about providing comprehensive nutrition care to older adults that promotes empowerment and dignity to allow seniors to remain nourished and thriving
as they advance in years.
Please 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 with your friends, and you can send us your questions in advance by visiting https://anchor.fm/awaregiver and clicking on the MESSAGE button.
Topics discussed will include :

The United States Department of Veteran Affairs Caregiver Programs
This show is dedicated in honor of Ordinance Division Captain Lawrence John Happe Jr, who served during the Vietnam Conflict in the 126th Maintenance Battalion in Nuremberg, Germany.
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) provides resources, education and support to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran does not need to have a service-connected condition, for which the caregiver is needed, and may have served during any era. No formal application is required.
The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) empowers caregivers with a wide range of resources through the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). All caregivers who provide personal care services to Veterans enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare have access to PGCSS.
Visit https://www.caregiver.va.gov/ for additional program information.

Free Resources for People Over 60 and Caregivers from ElderCare.Gov
On the AwareGiver® Radio Show, we'll be teaching caregivers and people over the age of 60 how to connect with the ElderCare locator, a FREE network of services provided by the United States Government. The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction.

Biden Plan to Create a 21st Century Caregiving Workforce
Today on AwareGiver, the CareGiver Radio show, host Dave Happe talks about the highlights from President Joe Biden’s comprehensive plan to help caregivers in the United States. Titled “The Biden Plan for Mobilizing American Talent and Heart to Create a 21st Century Caregiving and Education Workforce,” the 25 page plan is the first of it’s kind in the United States. While it doesn’t address all issues within the nation’s long term care system, experts say it represents the most wide-ranging care policy ever proposed.
The show will be released Friday, February 19th, 2021 at 3PM Eastern. On today’s show, Dave has identified six super important components of the Biden plan that will be critical for home caregivers, including :
Increased funding for home and community based care150,000 new community health workers
Financial credits for home caregivers
Increased caregiver pay
Benefits
Stronger Legal Protections
You can find the AwareGiver Radio Show on your favorite podcast platforms, including :
The home station of the AwareGiver Radio Show is Anchor.fm.
You can also listen to the show on :
Apple Podcasts :
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/awaregiver-the-caregiver-oasis-radio-show/id1545607157
Spotify :
https://open.spotify.com/show/7w8R3IMPzeZ1h9F3ctEUXS
Google Podcasts :
https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80MmQxNjlmMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==
IHeartRadio:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-awaregiver-the-caregiver-o-67292387/
You can also find AwareGiver - The CareGiver Oasis Radio Show on Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public and other Podcast platforms.
ABOUT THE AWAREGIVER RADIO SHOW : AwareGiver - The CareGiver Oasis Radio Show is a place for caregivers to relax, de-stress, catch up on some news, connect with other caregivers, and recharge. The radio show features interviews, tips, breaking news, old news, and content curated specifically for those who care for others. The AwareGiver radio show is sponsored by Giver brand caregiver products (AwareGiver.com) and KinderGard baby safety (KinderGard.org)

23 Christmas Safety Tips from BestLifeOnline.com
23 Christmas Safety Tips You Need to Know, According to Home Experts
FROM TENDING TO YOUR TREE TO SMART HOME SECURITY, HERE'S HOW TO STAY SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS.
written by By KALI COLEMAN for BestLifeOnline.com
https://bestlifeonline.com/christmas-safety-tips/?fbclid=IwAR3NjoAGQOsumtjii_KFnYfCXFJuyHm4zX_0kD0LLAW4IYfY5YT-qNb1tzk
used by permission.

Child Injuries Are Preventable - A Checklist On Baby Proofing Your Home
This episode of Awaregiver - the CareGiver Oasis Radio Show is focused on preventing childhood injuries. Drawing on resources from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other research, Dave put together an exhaustive list of how to think about child safety and baby proofing your home. Topics include drowning prevention, preventing falls, window safety, preventing burns, preventing poisoning, preventing scalds, microwave and kitchen safety, choking and harm caused by swallowing objects, a serious warning about the danger of button (watch sized) coin batteries, and blind and curtain cord warnings. Thanks to our sponsor of this episode, KinderGard. KinderGard has been keeping babies safe with baby proofing products since 1974. Search for KinderGard on Amazon or Walmart.com, or visit www.KinderGard.org for baby safety products. Please share this episode with expectant parents and parents of toddlers and young children. Visit AwareGiver on Facebook for copies of some of the CDC articles discussed during the broadcast.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr. Gwen Bergen on STEADi Program
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html

Call 211 (FREE CALL!) For Caregiver Help (with Micki Thompson)

Dystonia and Movement Disorders with Tyler's Hope, Staab

10 Things To Never Say To A Caregiver
Sometimes things are better left unsaid. Here's a list of 10 of them. There's also some bonus content at the end, with a few things EVERY caregiver would want to hear. Comments? Questions? Ideas? Talk back at https://anchor.fm/awaregiver