Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate Podcast: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!

The challenging role of caregiving can lead to burnout. At times the role can offer a lot of ambiguity, as well as challenges. What to do? Listen in for more insights.

What do you wish you would have known before becoming a caregiver? What is the real reality of being a surrogate? Listen in for more insights.

As we age, so does our brain and its ability to function as it once did. There are many reasons for cognitive decline. The safety of our elderly loved ones must always be in view. Listen in for more insights.

As we have ended mental health month, we still need to be mindful of what triggers our health and wellness as it relates to mental health. Listen in to learn to be proactive as you check in with yourself.

One of the most exciting things about being a life-long learner is learning new things. Did you know that May is Older American Month(OAM)? I was reading my AARP magazine a few days ago, and read that Older Americans have a month! What you say! Listen in for more insights!

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye, and, in many circumstances, an artificial lens is inserted. The lens of your eye is clear, but as we age, so does our vision. When cataracts develop over time, they cause the lens to become cloudy, causing blurry vision and increasing glare from lights which eventually affects your vision. Listen in for more insights.

Elderly spouses as caregivers have increased over the past decade. People are living longer. During my years of working in the acute-care setting, many of the elderly patients under my care had elderly spouses and no immediate family. I never considered the amount of the situation until my second look and the calls I received about the care concerns of our elderly. Listen in for more insights!

Building awareness about the importance of caregiving in minority populations is essential to our elders aging in place. The trend is gaining popularity, especially since the pandemic, which changed our lives on so many levels. We saw what alternative living in senior residences created; families were not able to reach or touch their loved ones. Listen in for more insights!

When we hear or read the word,' coping,' related to caregiving, does one's mind go to the terms of stress and burnout? Why is that? Did you know that coping is the use of an array of countless techniques that attempt to reduce feelings of stress and discomfort that occurs from a situation or event? These dynamic responses may be grouped into words like secure/insecure, effective/ ineffective, or adaptive/ maladaptive strategies. Listen in for more insights!

Personal experiences and conversations with others help fuel my discussion on situations that caregivers face. Let us start by declaring pain is not normal. When someone complains or describes feelings of discomfort and pain, it needs addressing, especially in our elders. We know the causes could stem from an array of conditions. The condition we will discuss is gout. Listen in for more insights!

Overdosing on prescribed medication in the elderly has happened again resulting in loss of life. This is an avoidable occurrence. Allowing your elderly loved one to take their medications without supervision is...simply put…dangerous! Listen in for more insights.

I am very intentional when blogging. Much of what I have learned either through my professional career or caregiving experiences, hope is, that the knowledge will help all who read my work.  I stand on the premise that it is vital that lived- experiences are shared. This is my mission! We know caregiving has many twists and turns. Listen in for more insights.

The women in our world are what the acronym stands for. I must admit, I made it up! It’s significant and I hope it is for you. Where would we be without women in our world? The ones I am writing about are our Sisters, Wives, Daughters, Mothers, Mentors, and lest we forget the wise council of our Grandmothers. I realize everyone may not have had the same experiences...Listen in for more insights!

We have ended Black History Month and what is no better way to say ‘until next year’s to highlight eldercare issues in the black community? I like to start by saying that… a family that prays together stays together; with a few hiccups, here and there. The foundation of the family is its elders. They share wisdom and guidance based on their lived experiences and struggles. Listen in for more insights!

Do you have a safe place where important documents are kept? Do family members know where to find them? Who is in charge of family health and end-of-life affairs (if you cannot)? New Flash…Your cellular devices and computers may be handy, but important documents must be kept where you can put your hands on them(hard copies) when necessary. Listen for more insights!

Since February is the month we highlight Black History, and the struggles, cultural excellence, as well as disparities, the conversation today is on nursing homes where African American family members are residents. Healthcare systems like nursing homes are grappling with the issue of adequate and acceptable care. Listen in for more insights.

As we continue to highlight Black History Month, looking at the value of palliative care and hospice care in the African American family is our topic.  Characteristically, educating a culture of people is often well-received, if the knowledge is coming from individuals that look like them. Listen in for more insights.

February is heart health month! What can you do to take care of your heart? Listen in for more insights!

Our future, meaning the younger generations, must be reminded that caring for the family, especially our elders is an expectation. It's what we did back then and it’s what we must do now! Anyone in the family could be considered a caregiver. Listen in for more insights.

It’s no secret that as we age, our vision has a mind of its own. Our vision does not consult with us asking if we want to see more or less. Populations everywhere suffer from glaucoma and cataracts, which are known to result in blindness if untreated. All we know is how often magnifying tools and reading glasses become searchable items to read our books, newspapers, and medication labels. We place them all over the house. Every light is on in the house at night and every blind is open during the day in order to see clearly. Changes in vision are not always an elder problem. Listen in for more insights!

The world of caregiving requires planning and problem-solving 365 days a year. There are no shortcuts to holistic and compassionate care. The daily grind must be organized while expecting the unexpected. Your role as a caregiver is valuable. Listen in for more insights.

Financial planning is vital in the caregiving space. Listen in for more insights.

As a caregiver to our elderly loved ones, who, by the way, fight hard to maintain their independence driving, has costly consequences. Yes, it has happened again! Car keys, night-time driving, and our elderly; the combination is serious and deadly. Listen in for more insights.

While a pedicure may seem like a great way to care for your toenails, it may not be the best plan for our elderly with many health problems, mobility problems, and chronic diseases. Indeed, taking care of the toenails is an important part of healthy feet. In our elderly, family members become the pedicure kings and queens, especially if our loved ones cannot get out and about. Caregiver assistance is required. Listen in for more insights!

Over the holidays, an elderly lady died in her home from a fire. Safety bars prevented first responders from getting to her. While we work hard to fortify our homes to keep the bad actors out, how do we look at the safety of our elders living alone with locks and bars on windows and doors? The elderly as well as those with disabilities may not be able to quickly escape in the event of a fire due to reduced mobility and vision limitations.  Listen in for more insights.

Yes, it has happened, again. Neglect of an individual and the countless excuses of family members as to why action is absent. Forgive me for being blunt…when you decide to place a loved one in a nursing home, into the care of a stranger, you cannot go on your merry way thinking personalize and compassionate care will go on after you leave the building. Listen in for more insights!

Thank you caregiver!

I am saluting caregivers, here, there, and everywhere. I am grateful for the selfless angels on earth who give of themselves day and night, night and day.

 Listen in for more insights.

I always believe in giving credit where credit is due, however, the men in the caregiving space are often forgotten. But we will forget no more, RIGHT?

Around the globe, men take on the role of caregivers every single day. It is a stereotype to believe the only valuable and capable caregiver is of the female gender. 

Listen in for more insights.

Have you heard the saying you don’t know what you don’t know? Have you wondered why this statement is important? Well, I will divulge why it demands serious consideration. The analogy of rolling dice.  We call what we want, but we get what we get. We do it again and again, hoping for a different outcome. Sometimes we win, but most times we lose. We always want to win(best outcome) based on caregiver knowledge.

Listen in for more insights.

I do realize there are circumstances, like safety and serious health conditions, that placing a loved one is required, but when this is the decision, eyes, ears, and noses must be in action; day and night; night and day. Pay attention when loved ones is placed. Listen in for more insights.

I am sure over the course of our lives; we will have a relationship with a wheelchair. However, for some, the wheelchair is a daily way of life. Because it’s a daily way of life, it requires maintenance. Like our physical and mental health requires maintenance, the equipment that sustains a loved one, is no different. Listen in for more insights.

Vacations can bring a refreshing reality to self-care. I have enjoyed being away and taking care of myself… Doing me! Loving on me! Enjoying my peace away from the hustle and bustle of life. It is not to say that a few hiccups tried to invade my space. Listen in to see how I navigated this year's vacation.

A lot of individuals take care of a friend or family member with a serious health condition. Caregiving is a labor of love, but it can also be hectic and demanding. How to be an effective caregiver while also taking care of yourself will always be the revolving action item. Listen in for more insights.

Driving is independence. Who does not want independence? However, what is the yardstick of awareness that affects the ability of older adults to drive safely? Driving restrictions must be in place if the functional abilities and mobility needs of an older driver are known. Listen in for more insights.

Music has always been my way of escape. In the caregiving space, music can work wonders to relax, reflex, and renew. Listen in for more insights.

During my acute-care years as a registered nurse, I encountered this syndrome many times. As a committed caregiver of loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you likely will face this syndrome, as well. While understanding the importance of staying attuned to daily events of any day or night, this syndrome can throw things off BIG TIME! The progressive stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s can show behavioral changes in the sundowning stages. Listen-in for more insights!

When loved ones are aging in place or coping with an illness or disability, it can be hard to keep up with all of the physical needs, let alone the equipment needs and the companies that provide the services, right?  Listen in for more insights.

This is going to be a short and sweet discussion!  I am going to say this loud enough to be heard around the world! This is a Public Service Announcement (PSA) from Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate!  Listen in for more insight.

The ability to participate in gross and fine motor skills goes away as we age. No matter how busy you might think you are as a caregiver, it is important to take the time to ensure movement that is tolerated, occurs! If you tell yourself that you don’t have time, change your mindset. Listen in for more insights.

Extreme temperature is not safe for anyone. It is even dangerous if you are older and have health problems. You should never stand outside at 110-degree temperature for anything! Listen in for more insights.

Did you know caregiving is a public health challenge? Caregiving is an important public health issue that affects the quality of life for millions of people. Elders are living longer. Who will care for them? Educating society is critical and vital. Listen in for more insights.

Caring for a loved one involves an “all hands on deck” approach…RIGHT? Have you ever considered the touch that caregivers deliver has many layers? Something to think about. I spoke the other day with a husband caregiver. He has been caring for his wife for many years since her Parkinson’s diagnosis which has now progressed to the painful reality of a “different kind of touch.” Touch matters! Listen-in for more insights.

The truth can be liberating. Truth has nothing to do with the love we have for our loved ones. Truth has everything to do with the job that a caregiver must manage. What truth does is acknowledge that one is human and subject to the feelings of burnout and a mental health meltdown. Listen in for more insights.

I took two weeks off to take care of my mental health. I wanted to share that I have enjoyed restful moments of doing nothing and sitting on the patio. Listen in for more insights.

How many family caregivers are facing debt after a loved one dies? This can be an overwhelming burden stacked on top of grieving the loss. It’s a widespread attitude. Listen in for more insight.

Have you ever asked yourself what proactive steps have been taken once becoming a caregiver responsible for the financial elements?

On the news today, I heard of a family who consolidated their living to take care of each other. What an amazing thing to do. Can you just imagine the support available? Many cultures have maintained this practice for years. I thought about what lessons can we learn from generational household living. Listen in for more insights!

Since caring for a loved one in the home is becoming increasingly common, specific ways to organize and give exceptional care is individualized for every caregiving case. No caregiving experiences are the same, but the mission must always be the same. Listen in for more insights!

Who has felt like a slinky as a caregiver? Be honest? I sure have! Have you heard the old Proverbial saying, if it can go wrong, it will go wrong?  How about… any job worth doing is worth doing well. How about… put 100% effort into everything you do. How about…your mental approach to your job dictates the outcomes you'll receive. How about...leave no stone unturned. What about…better safe than sorry. True words of wisdom, especially in the caregiving space.   Flexibility and safety are a part of life, right?  Listen in for more insights!

The term elder orphan is a real term and a real reality for many older adults. Some find themselves within the population because they remained single and childless. What about a population where there are children, grandchildren, or maybe an X-spouse who has not shown themselves responsible or willing to step in when care is needed. Getting older has its own set of stressors, but being alone on the journey has to be very difficult. Listen in for more insights.

A colleague asked me…" Why are you called Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate?... Here is my answer. At 15-years old, I saved the life of my pool manager. I was a lifeguard back in the day. He left the pool office to change a chlorine tank. I found it odd that it took him a while to return. Upon searching for him, I found him semi-conscious and bearly breathing because he had inhaled chlorine gas. My first-aid training came in handy that day. Listen in for more insights.

The health and wellness of our most vulnerable population, our elderly loved ones, is the responsibility of family members. Helping them age in place, while tending to their needs is our role in the circle of life. It will be our turn one day to receive care. We all have a part to play… Yes, You Do! Listen in for more insight!

As many know, I have a passion for eldercare and seniors living their best lives with caregiver support. I was trying to find a way to share my pain and anguish in the current situation in Ukraine, watching the mass exodus of its people, especially the elders. I recently read that more than two million older people in Ukraine are at great risk as a consequence of the Russia storming the country. The lives of millions of people hang in the balance. Listen in for my personal reflections.

Caregiver advocacy matters when it comes to providing support to our loved ones as they age. The level of responsibility to ensure their wellbeing must be a top priority. A dear friend is facing the understanding of advocacy up close and personal. We know the desire for autonomy with our older adults will always be paramount until it is no longer feasible. Listen for more insights.

I am facing the challenge of managing heart failure in my family, up close and personal. Since it is heart health month and I am a registered nurse with many experiences of caring for cardiology patients, personal experiences make such good conversation. Firsthand experiences are testimonials to help others going through health challenges and illnesses. I wanted to share a few pointers to help others who may have loved ones facing this particular health issue, heart failure. Listen for more insights.

It is often taken for granted, as simple as communication seems to be.  We assumed that all understood what came out of the hole in our face.  However, with the elderly population, we have to be concerned about the best way to communicate with our loved ones as we care for them. Slow down when speaking with the elderly. Listen for more insights.

The feelings aligned with being an informal caregiver do not go away when the loved one passes on. From time to time, the associated factors that were a part of what goes on from day to day can often cause sadness or even depression. Listen in for more insights.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is not so much about the man but more about the mission. How would our elders rate us? The racial justice of my mother's time, the 1930 and 1940, have shown slight growth. Our role in the 20th Century... Remember! Celebrate! Act! Listen in for more insights.

What did we learn in 2021? Have you heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result? We made it! Welcome to 2022. If you are like me, most don't mind kissing 2021 goodbye. Grateful that God has granted us the presence of another year. We have been through a lot, and for many caregivers, the New Year brought the same challenges that require us to navigate the role. Listen in for more insights.

Caregivers, I salute you! I appreciate you! I value you! I respect you! I know your struggles. I know your pain! I know your challenges, and guess what? They will continue in 2022. Take heart; we have each other. Listen in for more insight.

Caregivers continue to work despite the holiday season in Caregiverland. Caregivers may smile, but the reality is that the work continues, even during the holidays. The bathing, dressing, feedings, turnings, paying attention to the health conditions, maintenance of medical equipment, ensuring medications are given, washing clothes, drying clothes, changing linen, handling business affairs for your loved ones, and doing it all over again, with little rest and limited sleep. Listen in for more insights.

You may or may not know my dissertation centered on nutritional health in the baby-boomer populations. The population has retired or is close to retirement. This population also has adult children and grandchildren. The eating habits of the family typically are cultural and generational. Once we begin to watch over our elderly, we have to think about preparing meals for those in our family who become unable to prepare their meals. Caregivers become responsible for the nutritional health of their loved ones. Listen in for more insights.

On yesterday, I had an outstanding interview with Pastor Michele Irby Johnson, as we discussed helping our aging parents age in place. I was so proud to hear that she and her husband took the blinders off and relocated to be close to her aging mother. It really warmed my heart. Listen in for more insight.

Being a caregiver to an aging loved one can be a genuine challenge overall. However, with cold weather on its way, I felt compelled to share my insights as a professional nurse and healthcare practitioner. Lay-caregivers do an excellent job caring for loved ones; however, sometimes, they may not know all the ins and outs of what to pay attention to with the elderly. Listen in for more insights.

Being a caregiver for a loved one is a commitment like non-other. You give up the life you once knew and take on life with uncertainties. You may ask what matters most to a caregiver. I will tell you that it is a true desire to make a difference in someone’s life, with compassionate care and support. Listen in for more insight!

Eldercare is a rising concern, especially in the home where caregiving is necessary for our loved ones. As society ages, diligence is crucial, especially if there are travel plans for seniors. Many seniors use adaptive aids, require oxygen, are on dialysis, need daily wound care and daily tube feeds. With these kinds of demands, proactive steps are essential before traveling anywhere with loved ones. Caregiving in the home is tough, but adding travel can be challenging, and pre-planning must occur. Listen in for more insight.

While caring for my mother, I would ask myself, what kind of caregiver am I. The question would often fall on my deaf ears because of my professional background. I had a working knowledge of the ins and outs of the "laying on of the hands"- taking care of humankind. Most of my movements centered on my training as a nurse.

What type of caregiver are you? Listen in for more insight.

Many senior citizens feel trapped in their own homes. The inability to move about and get out as they once used to can cause depression and sadness. Open up the blinds, pull back the curtains, and let our loved ones take in all the natural light they can handle.

 Listen for more insight.

CAREGIVER...We are in it together! All About the Love of Caregiving! Celebrating 100 blog posts that share many of my experiences of being a caregiver for 20-years. Listen in and enjoy!

Caregiver for bedridden loved ones can be challenging. Get help from health care professionals and physical therapy. Listen in for more insight.

We are approaching National Caregiver Month. November has been set aside to celebrate caregivers, here, there, and everywhere. There are over 53 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family, friends, and neighbors. I was on the unpaid caregiver side. While on the other side, I have a real passion for paid caregivers because their contributions are undervalued as it relates to wages, in my opinion. The purpose of celebrating caregivers is to provide responsiveness of caregiver concerns, educate caregivers(formal and Informal) about self-discovery, and magnify support that will decrease stress and burnout in the caregiver roles. Listen in for more insight.

We must protect healthcare professionals. My nursing profession began in 1985. Now, I am a nurse educator. I am so proud to be a professional nurse. It is my sacred profession! Passing the state- boards on the first try aided me to realize that I took my studies and training seriously. I vowed to use my knowledge and skills to be a rainbow in the lives of patients and families facing health challenges.

 Listen in for more insight.

Get your house in order. Consider this, what if your parents can no longer live by themselves? They sell their possessions and come to live with a son or daughter. Consider this,  the son or daughter passes away, and you know nothing about the house you now call home or its financial responsibilities. Consider this, a natural disaster hits, and significant damage has occurred. Listen in for more insight.

All caregiver journeys aren't created equal. What do I mean by this statement? In caring for older adults, it is essential to pay attention to signs and symptoms of chronic health conditions and situational outcomes shared by other caregivers. Listen in for more insight.

On yesterday,  Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate received her booster vaccination. I'm a Phizer girl! Whatever I can do to keep my family and others safe, I am in the front of every line. Seniors need protection as well. Listen in for more insight on Boosters.

Learning to cope in the caregiving space is vital, while caregiving for yourself. When we hear or read the word,' coping,' related to caregiving, does one's mind go to the terms of stress and burnout? Why is that?

Is it because of the lack of preparation? Is it because of the lack of knowledge? Listen for more insight!

Senior needs smiles. I know you have heard that smiling can be contagious. Smiles can make someone's day. Smiling can brighten someone's pain. Smiling can change someone's perspective on a situation. We should want to put a smile on someone's face. Listen in for more insight

Who can relate? Who wants to relate? Burning a candle at both ends is an accident waiting to happen. The idiom implies, “To exhaust one’s energies or resources.” Without acknowledging overtiredness in the caregiving space, it can lead to errors, mistakes, injury, and death of a loved one.  So, shining a light on this topic is critical. Listen in for more insight.

Caregiver, you must be engaged with your loved ones who are elderly. The topic today comes from a conversation I had with a dear friend.  The goal of caregiving is to help loved ones reach their final goal. For many years, the space she called home was no more. She continued to age gracefully while living alone; however, health challenges created the raw reality that living on her own was no longer safe. Listen for more insights.

What advice is essential to have as it relates to weather and caregiving? Going out should be mindfully and well-thought consideration. Where there is a history of known problems related to long-term raining, staying indoors is the only option. We careful in bad weather. Listen for more insight.

The subject of hospice is an uncomfortable one. Why? Because losing a loved one, up close and personal is hard.  None of us have crystal balls giving us the inside scoop of life expectancy or how a life-limiting condition will complete our earthly exit. Why have a hospice conversation? Listen in for more insight.

Caregivers, be honest…have you ever asked the question… why me or what's in it for me? Giving up your time, resources, independence, and sleep is a lot of giving up. Wouldn't you say? It is a valid question. We are humans of autonomy. We go about our day managing our personal and professional world, working to make our millions, having fun, going, and coming as we please…then BAM…our loved one becomes ill or has aged to where immediate care is necessary. What Is in it for me? Have you ever asked that question? Listen in for more insight.

Murder-suicide! Yes, it happens! We do not want to think about it or talk about it, but it happens. It can occur in a person's home, a nursing or group home, an assisted living center, and even the hospital.   When the pressure of caregiving leads to the end of the road, we have not done our job as caregiver advocates. The stress of taking care of someone while watching them decline can be unbearable.  Listen for more insight.

Caregivers multitask every day, all day. But if they work outside of the home, the caregiving worries heighten. How to support working caregivers is the focus of this podcast. Listen in to hear more.

Take the blinders off! Aging is a part of life! We all can agree that if we keep saying good morning and good night, we will age. It’s called the circle of life. Along the way, our bodies break down and slow down, sometimes simultaneously. It is tough to watch our loved ones get older before our eyes. New Flash… It’s coming!

Listen in for more insight.

Hindsight 20/20 is a concept caregivers need to avoid. As we care for our loved ones, giving our authentic self with confidence is required.

Have you heard the saying “Hindsight is 20/20? The use of the term is associated with decisions and choices (or the lack of) that seemed obvious after looking back and revisiting an unsettling outcome.  It is the voice in our head that shares how we could have predetermined a situation or consequence. The more you pay attention as a caregiver, the more you will heighten your awareness and revamp your daily movements necessary to continue to accomplish your obligations. Paying attention requires an intentional action of self-awareness, but realize, one second or one minute can change everything.

CAREGIVING: Sons, Brothers, Uncles, and Husbands. They can provide loving care authenticity! Listen in for more insights.

 We will never think someone else can take better care of our loved one. Did you know, asking for help is self-care? Listen in for more insight.

As Caregivers...We must take care of ourselves. We must be mindful of the consequences aligned with the lack of maintaining personal health. Listen in for more insight.

Is it true, that music can calm a raging sea? It is true, that music can change one's perspective?  I found that music in the caregiving space made challenging days brighter. Listen in for more insights.

Accepting a difficult diagnosis of a loved one can be an overwhelming feeling. No one expects our loved ones to end up with a chronic illness, let alone a terminal condition. There is no right or wrong answer to managing in this environment. Listen in for more insights.

Making decisions for others as a caregiver can be a challenge. Often because we lack information and knowledge that align with our loved ones. What do you wish you would have known before becoming a caregiver? Listen in for more insight.

Summertime and the living is easy…Maybe? For the elderly, this season could create serious health problems. During the summer, older adults are at an increased risk due to high temperatures and humidity. Seasonal heatwaves are dangerous and deadly, so it is critical we are mindful as caregivers and those with elders under their care to pay attention.

Listen in for helpful nuggets.

Parenting your parents is a real reality.  Once an adult, twice a child is a true statement. The Circle of life shows us, if we get older, we will need support. The sandwich generation is in line to consider this thought. Listen in to learn more.

Paying attention to the skin of our aging loved-one and care recipients is critical. Our skin is the largest organ of the body, and we should take care of it. Our aging loved ones may not be able to check all the important parts of the skin if physical and health issues are present. Listen in for more insight.

What! You mean a caregiver needs to take care of self? Say it ain’t so!LOL!

As caregivers,  men and women, we become lost in our duties with little thought about self. I remember a time during my caregiving space; I wore the same tee-shirt for five days straight, with a spit bath somewhere in between. Yes, I said it. Yes, I admit it, and no; I am not ashamed.

All too often, caregivers ignore themselves for the duty of others.

Listen in for more insights.

Question…Is home medical equipment knowledge created equal? As our loved ones and care recipients get older and experience health challenges, medical equipment in the home may be required. Using medical equipment (also called durable medical equipment-DME) required education, instruction, and return demonstration.

Listen in for more insight.

For some reason, I woke up thinking about the many hymns my mother enjoyed. One, in particular, was the Church In The Wildwood(The Little Brown Church-(1932), which is very old, but mommy would hum it occasionally. One stanza that stood out was…No spot is so dear to my childhood… As the little brown church in the dell. Her childhood was full of music!

My mommy was born to a missionary mother, and her father was a Methodist (CME) minister. Music was a huge part of her upbringing. My mother knew what it did for the body, mind, soul, and spirit.

Listen In for more insight!

As populations age, an array of medications become a part of the daily routine. Polypharmacy means 'many medications. Adherence to a medication regime is necessary for a variety of reasons. But when older people do not take medication prescribed to them, problems can arise for both their long-term and short-term health.

 Listen in for more insight!

Did you know that April is Minority Health Month?  Annually, this month is set aside for discussions on an array of health topics, needs, and concerns, hoping to shine lights on the many disparities that still exist in the 21st Century. In the caregiving world, caregiver awareness lags other populations, mainly because of a knowledge deficit on available services and resources in the minority communities.  

Listen in for more insight!

Thank you for journeying with me during the month of March. I appreciate you taking the time to hang out with me and learn about the importance of eating to stay healthy and feeding your loved-ones in healthy ways. Listen in for some closing thoughts on nutritional health.

Well, we did it! Remember, I committed the month of March (my birthday month) to share proactive tips to better care for our care recipients. The month of March has come to an end. The last blog on nutritional health will consider both, the caregiver, and the care recipient. Let us end the month by sharing insights on the fact that nutritional health goes both ways. The caregiver needs to eat healthily and provide healthy meals for our elderly parents or relatives. Listen in for more insight!

Don’t you ever count out the men in our society who cares for their loved-ones? Yes, I know; people think it is a female-oriented role. Tis true! That is accurate information, documented in an array of research journals. Men are navigating the role of caregiving from all aspects. I am not sure why as a society, we compare each other.  Caregiving does not have a gender. Male caregivers have the same goals and desires as female caregivers; to provide care and proper diet and nutrition to their elderly loved-ones. Listen in for more insight!

Caregivers, have you check on your loved one's mouth often, if not daily. Did you know bad teeth and poorly fitted dentures and painful gums can affect nutrition? Did you also know there are foods that are problematic with dentures and bad teeth? Maintaining a usual diet could have challenges to enjoying favorite foods. This does not suggest you have to forgo the array of foods you may like. We know what happens when someone tells us" NO." We want it even more, RIGHT? What to eat with a less than perfect set of choppers may surprise you. Listen in for more insight!

As I continue to honor my word of sharing nutritional health tips in March, let’s think about the foods seniors love to eat and the medicines they take daily. Some medications can affect appetite or the capacity to take in nutrients because of medications. Foods can augment, delay, or lessen drug absorption. Listen in for more insight.

We all have heard, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. What about those expensive nutritional supplements that are plentiful and questionable? We all want to achieve good nutritional health, and many will tell you supplements are the way, the truth, and the light. Listen in for more insight.

Healthy eating for seniors can help with illness and disease and better management of chronic health problems. To help older adults accomplish health benefits that align with proper eating, certain food groups should be avoided. Listen for more insight.

Disagreement among siblings rarely happens with wanting good nutritious meals for parents. We would all suffer if nutrition were not provided to our care recipients.  A significant part of being a caregiver is providing meals and snacks. How do you deal with siblings looking for their place in caring for an elderly parent? Listen in for more insight.

Seniors can have trouble eating such meals. They can choke and suffocate from foods caught in the throat. There are also health challenges that can create swallowing problems. There is a word for swallowing problems. It is dysphagia. Listen in for more insight.

Bone health is an important conversation to have as it relates to seniors and falls. The kinds of shoes worn are also very important. The kinds of food to provide is important.  Listen in for more insight.

One of the most challenging consequences of having a chronic disease is the adjustments many must make associated with nutrition. For our elderly population, with often additional health challenges, repeated insults on the compromised heart muscle only lessen its ability to perform, and a poor prognosis is often the sad outcome.  Is it possible to slow down repeated exacerbations with nutritional strategies that decrease heart failure symptomatology? 

Listen in for more insight.

I have dedicated it to nutritional health, my dissertation topic. No doubt, the pandemic has been brutal of us earthlings. We all know of families this horrible plague in our homeland has affected. For me, it has been heart-wrenching seeing how vulnerable we are with the most fundamental realities of life, food.

We know one of our basic needs is food. Unfortunately, healthy foods are pricier than the go-and grab items, often high in fat, sugar, and calories, hampering the nutritional health narrative. May I ask that you consider small but deliberate steps toward healthy health practices?

Listen in for more insights.

Anyone who has taken care of someone who was once independent, and now the aging process has presented memory decline, physical slowness, or suffering from a debilitating condition, will understand and appreciate this discussion. Being motivated after a health challenge can be a real issue, but as a caregiver knowing the abilities of the one you care for should continue even when they do not want to participate.

What does a caregiver do? 

Listen in to hear more.

Being a caregiver is giving care to another. In Texas, during the winter storm and freezing weather, the loss of power in many homes made my home "Hickman Hotel." With family everywhere and glad we all were safe, the gathering of the family made me sad. I was missing my mommy. Listen in for the real and raw reality of being vulnerable in thought.

Cold weather and harsh conditions are hard for anyone to handle, but they can be dangerous and deadly for our older adults.

Safety First! Safety Second!

A proactive step is to make such movements ahead of time. Listen in for more insight.

How many seniors in your family or neighborhood live alone and use adaptive aids? My mother lived alone until we changed the narrative. In the United States, millions of older adults live independently with the help of walking aids. While you work on a transition plan, there are a few things you can do. Being proactive is essential with seniors living alone. Listen in for more insight.

I am the first to acknowledge how difficult it was seeing my mother age. Watching the changes in the day-to-day activities, let alone suggesting she needed help, was an interesting time. She initially was resistant but later took much joy in all the pampering she received. She was so grateful for all the care, inside the family and outside the family circle.

Have you thought about who is in your care village? Listen in for more insight!

The diminished hearing of someone could result from earwax buildup. Do not go straight for the hearing aids. When earwax is unable to perform its duty due to buildup, or earwax blockage (hardened ear wax) that covers the opening in the ears, this can cause hearing loss.

 Listen in for more insightful information!

COVID-19! Yes, I went there! What one believes in, one shares! 

I want our precious elders to live as long as God allows. I know it is scary with the massive amounts of information and might I add, misinformation that has us all in a tizzy. Listen in for more wonderful and insightful information.

Let's take care of our seniors.

Caregivers, Multi-Tasking and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) 

Caregivers are jugging an array of activities and duties. They cover the gamut of areas, like work, schools, children, and home obligations while caring for a loved one. Lord knows; I did it for many years. Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) provides employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave.

Please take advantage of your right to use FMLA if needed. You should not have to choose between holding a job and the care of someone you love!  Visit the website: U.S. Department of Labor for more information.

I was listening to a podcast yesterday and heard the term ‘Elder Orphans.’ Have you heard the term before? I had not, but it aroused my interest as a life-long learner. So, what are Elder Orphans? Listen in!

If you consider yourself an “Elder Orphan” now is the time, today is the day to begin putting a plan in place.

Caregivers and Caregiving on My Mind - this Inauguration Day!  What 'say' we to the New Administration on caregivers' needs and the art of caregiving. I will continue to ask for visual outcomes and continual conversations.  We have made progress, most noticed with AARP's presence for senior information and support. There are also a host of caregiving platforms; all aligned with the same mission; to seek help for our aging population and their families.

As the population ages, it is essential to understand the obligation of caregivers and the care recipients. Whatever we can do to help with the variety of tasks caregivers do or care recipients need, our elected leaders can contribute by using their pens and paper to help lessen the societal impact from the lack of preparations and resources to those of us that embrace the world of caregiving. Remember, "we have not because we ask not." If you ask and if I ask, what a bright world caregiving will be. Can I count on your voice?

Happy Luther King, Jr. Day!

Caregivers: Here is a Quote Martin Luther King, Jr., Left Us to Ponder:

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t’ have to make your subject and verb agree to serve ... You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

As caregivers, the role often gets crowded by the many tasks associated. Indeed, it is the role of service. At times, it does feel like you are a servant to the numerous tasks that are essential. I ask you…is there anything wrong with being a servant? 

Be an agent of change; make a difference generated by love, be a servant!

As we age, our vision ages with us. Make no mistake about it! We know our vision is a huge part of our movements. Frankly, our vision owns us and if you do not believe me, ask someone who has diminished vision or has lost their vision entirely. Vision health is important!

Make regular vision examinations a part of your caregiving role. Vision health is just as important as other health needs.

As we get older, so does our skin. The skin, also called the epidermis, is the outermost layer of the body. We think in detail about our skin when we are young and self-sufficient. However, as a caregiver and responsible for others' care, we must think about detailed skin care practices in the elderly. As a caregiver, your role is to pay attention to the skin of your loved one. Start at the head and finish under the bottom of the feet. No matter your situation, skincare is a part of the caregiving journey. 

Pay Attention.

It has taken me a few days to collect myself. For sure, being silent was NOT an option! As with many of you, the 6th of January 2021 will forever be in our minds and memory. While more critical issues are facing us, we witnessed an event that left me, saying, “God heal our land.” What else can one say? I am your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, and my platform is to a voice and resource for the caregiving community — those who may tackle the role of caregiver and needing guidance in the caregiving space.

The word CAREGIVING is recognized as an action role, meaning that helping someone (elderly, children, ill persons) is the primary function. The individual(s), often a part of a family’s network assists with helping loved ones navigate their personal world. What words can we put in our spirit to embrace serving others? Listen to hear more.

One of the essential tasks in the world of proactive caregiving is health awareness. Have you taken dental health seriously? Before a problem or situation arises, open and say Ahh.  That’s right look around the food reservoir cavity. Dentist health is as important as physical health.  So, as we look at ways to be proactive, let your mission consider dental health.

Caregivers: Let the Year 2021 be the year of asking for help!

Many feel, including me, that being a caregiver is a lonely role. It does feel like it sometimes, but the reality is, we are never alone. 

Let the year 2021 be the year of asking for help.

Happy New Year!

Caregiving: The Last Wednesday of 2020

When one takes an oath not to harm, the commitment is based on the care of others. There is no algorithm to care for others, no secret sauce, or unique concoction necessary to care for someone. It starts with a yearning to help and a heart to serve. It begins with the spirit that considers putting yourself in the place of someone needing care. Reach out to someone you care about. Do it now. Do it today. 

How did we do caring for each other during  Christmas time? Did we stay away or did we travel and put our loved ones in jeopardy? Time will tell if our actions were worth it. Until next time, be safe, be well, bye for now.

Chronic health conditions can make everyday responsibilities challenging for older adults. Chronic health conditions are defined as ongoing and lifelong. Many chronic diseases generally offer a prewarning. Pre-warnings that are often ignored by the hearer. Managing chronic health conditions is lifelong, in most cases, controlled by an array of treatment options and guidance. Caregivers need to know about health needs of their loved ones.

The holiday season can be a distressing time for seniors, especially those living alone and in nursing facilities. As caregivers, we need self-joy first and then we can share the joy with our loved ones. This episode offers ways to bring joy and infuse laughter.

Have you ever considered how costly the caregiving role can be? The financial portion of caregiving is assumed by those not directly involved in the role's day-to-day duties.  Money matters, plus, it is needed to provide supplies, services, and equipment that a loved one may need. Money helps in making choices, and if not discussed, it can create friction between family members.

Male caregivers are capable of caring for a loved one. They must be recognized and have the necessary resources and support, so they too can effectively navigate the role.

Introduction to my 1st Podcast Entitled: Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate Podcast: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!

Caregiving is something we all will face at some point in time. We will be a caregiver. We will need a caregiver, or a caregiver will need us.  My 20-year journey of caring for my mother and my professional background as a nurse has given me a passion to help others navigate the world of caregiving. I hope you will join in to hear how to become restored, renewed, and refreshed should you find yourself caring for someone you love. The challenges are real, but the rewards have no words.  In by book: From the Lens Of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor shares why this topic is essential and necessary to share. Until we meet again....Dr. Cynthia Speaks!