Toula's Tips for Caregivers Toula's Tips For Caregivers

You are doing your best.

No one prepared you to be a caregiver. You did it because you care. I know you care because you are here.

I know you want to be a better caregiver because you listen to these podcasts and visit important websites, like CircleOf.com.

Your next step is to take some action. I want to help you to begin the New Year right. I want to show you how you can become a better caregiver in 7 days!

In this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers, my friends from CircleOf.com, Kerry Lange and Alanna McLeod, and I reveal seven simple steps that you can take – and repeat every week – to make your caregiving life easier for you and for your loved one.

Do you want to learn more, read my Blog on CircleOf.com.

With all you have to do, I want to make it easy. But by taking these little steps each day in the week, you will find yourself healthier, more prepared, and less stressed. Even better, your loved one may be happier.

Wishing you many blessings in 2022.

Will your holidays be Merry and Bright?

Christmas is supposed to be a joyous and holy time for us all.

However, for caregivers, like you and me, it can also be a stressful, difficult time. The extra stress of trying to make the Season special and meaningful for our loved one is hard enough. Adding in family dynamics can really change the mood fast.

That is why you need to listen to this Podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers. My friends from CircleOf.com, Kerry Lange and Alanna McLeod, and I enjoyed an inspiring conversation sharing many helpful suggestions on how to make the Holidays meaningful and special for your loved one and for you.

Kerry and Alanna also conveyed their “8 Tips on Creating a Care Calendar”, which is available on their web site, https://circleof.com/featured-content/

We know you will enjoy listening to our conversation. We want you to come out of the holidays without that burned-out feeling. You will be more light-hearted by knowing you did your best.

OUR BEST ADVICE - Focus on the real meaning of Christmas: Family time and what is in your heart.

We wish you Many Blessings for this Holiday Season. Don’t forget to visit the CircleOf.com web site and download their FAMILY CAREGIVING APP.

Caregiving requires Teamwork

Do you want a team of people around you for when you need help or advice? My new friends at “Circleof.com” can help.

With their new APP, you can reduce the stress and hassle of finding people to help. You can create a circle of people around you to provide support. AND, you can make it easier for those around you to help you

This App will keep you from wondering, “where to go when you don’t know where to turn to turn for help”.

In this podcast of “Toula’s Tips for Caregivers”, Kerry Lange, COO and Chief Evangelist of CircleOf explains how their new APP will make a difference to you.

Best of all – the App is FREE. (Visit CircleOf.com to download the FREE App)

Kerry knows. She was caregiver for her father, mother and then stepfather. She lived with the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. As Kerry explains, that is why she went to work with the developers of this App. She wants to help other caregivers

There are many people in your life who want to help you, but don’t know what you need. They just want to be asked.

You know that I always look out for you. I let you know about any resource that can help you as a caregiver. I believe this CircleOf app will really help you.

Are you taking care of yourself “from the neck up”?

You should – your brain is also the only one you will ever have.

That is why, for all my veterans friends and caregivers of veterans, I WANT YOU to REGISTER today for a Free “Brain Health Awareness Webinar this Tuesday, June 1st, from 11am to 12Noon.

Register at alzfdn.org/event/veterans/

The webinar is provided by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to help serve those who have served us. They recognize that Veterans may be at a higher risk for dementia based on their military experiences.

You will want to participate. You will be able to get answers to your questions.. The webinar will provide you with information and facts to understand dementia, be proactive about brain health, and learn about services and benefits available to help.

Listen to my podcast interview with Charles Fuschillo, CEO of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, as he explains how this webinar will help you to live a better life. Charles will also talk about the many programs that the AFA offers for free.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

If you have more questions, you can call the Alzheimer's Foundation of America HELP LINE at any time (24 hours per day, 7 days a week). Simply dial 866.232.8484.

A Licensed clinical social worker, dementia specifically trained, will talk with you, answer your questions, and, most importantly, provide comfort and support. The Help Line is FREE and Completely Confidential.

If you prefer an online CHAT, you can visit the AFA web site at alzfdn.org/afahelpline/

I encourage you to REGISTER TODAY, as your first steps for “Check Up From The Neck Up".

Should you say, “It’s a RAPP”?

If you want to help build a stronger community of seniors and caregivers, you should.

If you want to help the many grandparents and relatives who are caring for their grandchildren or school-age relatives, you must.

Most Importantly - I NEED YOUR HELP in spreading the word about Aging True’s RAPP Program in Duval and Clay Counties, Florida.

In this podcast, my guest Jacinda Legions, Community Liaison with Aging True, explains how the “RAPP” program – “Relatives As Parents” Program – is making our community stronger by helping many senior and caregivers like you who have taken on the responsibility of raising children, either their grandchildren or close relatives.

May is Older Americans’ Month. This is when we celebrate the strength of older adults and the Aging Network, with special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities. The RAPP Program is an essential part of this effort in Duval and Clay counties.

RAPP is a voluntary program open to grandparents and relative caregivers ages 55 and above, caring for children under the age of 18. This support program is designed to assist the caregiver in resuming healthy aging practices and is tailored to best suit the participants’ needs. The program delivers educational training’s, monthly support groups in a comfortable and relaxed setting, transportation, long-term goal planning, bi-monthly newsletter with resources, yearly stipend for children’s summer camp and more. RAPPJAX is supported by a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund.

If you or someone you know is a grandparent or relative caring for a young child, learn more about RAPP by contacting Aging True at 904.807.1203, or visiting their website at agingtrue.org.

Aging True is also looking for donations to maintain and expand the program. If you know of some organization who is willing to financially support Aging True and the RAPP Program, please call Jacinda directly at 904-807-1266 or by Email at jlegons@agingtrue.org

It is a stressful decision. But you know that it will be the best decision for your loved one.

You know that someday you may have to think about bringing your loved one in a place that can provide more care. It may be a rehab facility, an assisted living facility (ALF), or a nursing home.

Your loved one comes first and most important.

I want to help you to prepare NOW for the crucial questions. WHEN? WHERE? HOW?

•When will be the right time?
•Where is the best place?
•How will you be able to afford it?

YOUR FIRST STEP – Listen to this podcast of Toula’s Tips for Caregivers. My two guests are EXPERTS at helping you find the best answers for you and your loved one. The advice they share on this podcast will give you the answers and directions you need.

Esther McMillan is the Daily Money Management Manager at Aging True Community Senior Services. She also is a National Certified Guardian. Aging True can help you to know when is the right time – or whether there are OTHER OPTIONS. (Visit their web site https://www.agingtrue.org/)

Michael Saffy is owner of Silver Link consulting. They help you find the care your love one deserves (Visit their web site https://www.silverlinkconsulting.com/).

Both have important suggestions on how to afford this care.

I know how wrenching the decision will be. When we had to place my Mom in a memory care facility, it broke my Dad’s heart. When we placed my Dad in an assisted living facility, it broke my heart.

I recognized how important that the advice and support from knowledgeable professionals would help me – and you – to make the best decisions for our loved ones.

They are my guests on this podcast so that you, will be better prepared when the time comes to make that decision.

When that time comes, I encourage you to seek out Aging True and Silver Link Consulting.

If you need more, I am always here for you.

Blessings

Toula Wootan