Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate Podcast: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!

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...

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 t...

Reflection is always a powerful tool. It should remind us all that we are valuable and agents of change. Take your place in 2023!

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 ca...

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...

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.

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! Liste...

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?