Caregiving Experts on Covid-19
Caregiving Experts and Caregivers are in unprecedented times with a disease that has no cure. Unfortunately, we are in a new normal with this. They can be overwhelming enough without Covid-19, but not impossible. Here are some of the top Caregiving Experts to help you now!
Caregiving Expert – Tena Scallan
I’m a caregiving expert, virtual assistant, and adviser with 25 + years of experience who can help with the many problems facing today’s home caregiving. I’ve dedicated my life to working in the healthcare field, specifically with caregiving.
It’s my passion to help everyone caring for a parent or relative, both near and far.
Check out her website at Https://www.theultimatecaregivingexpert.com
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
As a caregiving expert, I have dealt with many problems, and when I was a new caregiver, I was very clueless. So, here is my expert advice on caring for your senior loved ones. If boredom is a problem, here are a few suggestions to help you stay sane. And finally, if you have difficulty finding things to cook, check out how to stock and stay healthy during Covid-19. I hope this has helped you as a new caregiver; if you have additional questions, you can go to my website directly and ask for more help.
Caregiving Expert – Joan Lunden
Joan Lunden is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and women’s health & wellness advocate. Joan Lunden has been a trusted voice in American homes for more than 30; Joan. For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning on Good Morning America, bringing insight into the day’s top stories. As the longest-running female host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered five presidents and 5 Olympics, and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homier families and their health.
Lunden continues to be one of America’s most recognized and trusted personalities. She hosts the Washington Post and Cleveland Health Clinic’s podcast, Carinhosts, and the upcoming PBS series Second Opinion with Joan Lunden. Her newest book, Why Did I Come into This Room?: A Candid Conversation Ab, Besides, hedging is a New York Times best-seller. Recently, Lunden became an ambassador for the Poynter Institute’s program, MediaWise for Seniors, which aims to educate them on media literacy. On her website JoanLunden.com and social media, Americans interact with her daily about health, wellness, caregiving, and boomer/senior daily with service; as a caregiving expert, would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
The pandemic has undoubtedly brought a lot of nervous times for caregivers. I would advise a new caregiver to learn as much as possible but also to remember to take time for caregivers to live and not let their health, which is often a problem for caregivers. Finally, this is not over until it’s over, so we all must remain patient.
[But, finally, Joan, Lunden’s advice on COVID is about learning.”]
Caregiving Expert – Amy Goyer
Amy Goyer is AARP’s Family and Caregiving Expert and author of Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving. A passionate champion for caregivers, she has been one her entire adult life, caring for her grandparents, parents, and sister. Amy has more than 35 years of experience working in the aging field. She shares her caregiving journey and practical, actionable tips for career columns and viaduct with Amy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and amygoyer.com. Find more great caregiving tips, tools, and resources at www.aarp.org/caregiving.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Stay connected to other caregivers. Caregiving is permanently isolating, and during COVID-19, it is even more isolating. So it’s essential to connect to others who get it, “Going to support groups in person isn’t possible, so you must join online Facebook groups, online support groups, and other social media, or via telephone support groups. Talk with friends on the phone or by text. Problem-solve, vent, laugh, cry…you may be alone physically, but you can have a sense of togetherness. You don’t have to be without support. It can make all the difference.
Caregiving Expert – David Nassaney
Dave Nassaney is the founder of davethecaregiverscaregiver.com. I also host a popular iTunes podcast called, The Caregiver’s Caregiver RadioI, and I am a best-selling author of my 3rd book, “It’s My Life Too! Reclaim YourCaregiver Sanity”. I have appeared on over 25 TV morning shows so far during my National book and recently a tour. And even spoke at Harvard Winne Somers and NASDAQ in New York. Sharing my all-important message, “How to Prevent your loved one’s illness from actually killing you!” I am also a caregiver to my beautiful wife, Charlene, since 1996.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
The best advice I can give a caregiver dealing with the coronavirus is not to let fear get the best of us and to make decisions based on logic instead of emotion. For example, if your loved one falls and needs an x-ray to find out if anything is broken, then take them to the ER and get an x-ray.
Do not let the fear of getting them infected with Covid-19 in a hospital setting cause you to make a worse mistake of not getting a bone set or a needed surgery that will keep your loved one from the pain of getting a staph infection or a deformity from not taking care of a broken hip.
Don’t let the fear o getting infected by COVID-19 trump any other rational decisions that need to be made.
Of course, you want to do the common sense things, like change your clothes when you get home from being outside, shower, wash your hands, avoid touching your face, or hugging and kissing your loved one, since anyone who is a-symptomatic may still have the virus and transmit it to others.
And by all means, have fun, enjoy this time together, play games, laugh, look through photo albums, listen to your favorite music, go on walks, etc.
Caregiving Expert – Susanne White
Susanne White is the founder of the Caregiver Warrior. She was blessed with the opportunity to care for her parents and ventured out on a caregiving journey that would change her life. She blogs about this journey on her website, caregiverwarrior.com, and shares her experience, strength, and hope with others so that they, too, may survive caregiving with grace and empowerment. Follow her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook Instagram
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
The one piece of advice I would give new caregivers when dealing with covid19 is not to do it alone! Caregiving takes a village! Asking for help and building a team are two critical steps to ensure the health and well-being of the Caregiver and those being cared for. If you want to go fast, go as fast as you want to go far together!
Caregiving Expert – Jeffrey Fry
Jeffrey Fry has over thirty (30) years of work experience, beginning in the high-tech industry and helping over two dozen startups initiate, develop, and market their products and services over the last ten years. Mr. Fry is a huge advocate of personal empowerment, and during these past ten years, he has helped numerous individuals achieve their dreams of success personally and financially.
Mr. Fry is the instigator behind Well Baylor. It came about when he needed to find in-home care for his mother, Gladys, in Virginia after his brother died. At the time, Mr. Fry was living in Austin, Texas. The experience was less than palatable, and he often left his mother without care. When he moved his mother to Texas, where he was experiencing the onset of dementia, he found that the private duty agencies were taking more than 65% of the hourly rate and giving the caregivers barely over minimum wage and determined, “enough is enough.” He felt that this was just wrong in so many ways and that there had to be a better way to do that time; he promised to his now dearly departed mother that to honor her, he would develop that w That is when he formed Well Beyond ber 2014.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
The best advice,e I can give is to wash your hands, eat well, get outdoors, and keep a healthy immune system.
Caregiving Expert – Elizabeth Miller
Elizabeth Miller is a wife, mother, full-time employee, family caregiver, author, and Certified Caregiving, Consultant. She obtained a B.A. in Journalism from Penn State University and has worked in corporate IT and strategy roles for over 20 years. Elizabeth’s personal experiences caring for aging parents with chronic and terminal illnesses and caring for a sibling with developmental disabilities inspired Happy Healthy Caregiver in 2015. Through her consulting services, podcast, book, and online community, Elizabeth helps family caregivers integrate caregiving and self-care with their busy lives. Elizabeth has been a presenter at the 2016-2019 National Caregiving Conferences. Her story has also been featured in Woman’s Day and the Marietta Daily Journal. She is the host of the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast on the Whole Care NeIn addition, Sherk, author of Just for You: a Daily Self-Care Journal, facilitates an Atlanta support group for family caregivers called the Atlanta Daughterhood Circle, which was featured in the Washington Post.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
My COVID-19 advice for a new caregiver is to adopt a caregiver mindset around the Serenity Prayer (see attached). Particularly during this pandemic, there is so much out of our control. As family caregivers, we can do our best to manage expectations and reduce risk, but ultimately, we must learn to let go of what we can’t control and give ourselves a bit of grace.
Caregiving Expert – Rosalind Jones
Rosalind Jones of thecaregivercafe.net is an award-winning professional speaker, 3-time Amazon Best-Selling Author, and a virtual caregiver coach dedicated to taking a proactive approach to working with caregivers and their loved ones, positively impacting their quality of life. She also serves as an advocate, crisis counselor, and healthcare intervention. In addition to running Jacksonville’s Best Caregivers, Rosalind uses her experience and education to train new caregivers and their family members to best care for their loved ones.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
The COVID-19 global outbreak has all of us realizing what’s important and how quickly life can change. The virus has emphasized how critical it is to have legal documentation for a medical emergency or the importance of it. However, COVID-19 has proved that legal documentation is just as essential as the care we receive in the hospital. These documents 1.) POA 2.) DPOA 3.) Will 4.) Trust will allow someone to help with financial or medical decisions when necessary. This list will only cover the basics and shouldn’t be considered legal advice.
Caregiving Expert – Bobbi Carducci
Bobbi Carducci of the imperfect caregiver.com is a frequent presenter at national and internal caregiver conferences, including several keynote presentations. She is the author of two books for caregivers and the co-host of the podcast Rodgerthat. The show is a podcast dedicated to guiding you through the heavy haze of dementia. Shas a Certified Caregiving Consultant, A Certified Caregiving Educator, and a Caregiver Support Group Leader. Bobbi connects with her audience with compassion, knowledge, and humor to show caregivers that they are part of an army of millions standing shoulder to shoulder despite the distance between us. www.RodgerThat.show www.Bobbicarducci.com
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
My advice for a new caregiver dealing with Covid-19 is to take advantage of social isolation if other family members are at home during this time. Put them to work g things that will take some of the workload off you. For example, they can prepare meals, go to the store, and sit with the workload care to get a shower. Take this time to reach out and teach them on board to help regularly.
Caregiving Expert – Melissa Comeau
Melissa Comeau is honored to serve as the Director of the American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Netwoeping with the War was published in 2015 and has brought the Director’s family and caregiver perspective to life after combat. In addition, Melissa served as a Fellow for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. She has a long history of providing peer support to military families and is supporting efforts at Blue Star Families, Psych Armor, and the Military Family Advisory Network.
Melissa was appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee for Veterans’ Family, Caregivers, and Survivors at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. She is a recognized advocate for the military and veteran community with a career supported by an MSM in Information Technology and Project Management.
Her education and background have made her a valuable resource and a pioneer in developing technology to support caregivers. Melissa is invested in developing our Nation’s heroes and their families, children, caregivers, and survivors. She is also a caregiver of a combat-wounded United States Marine.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Self-compassion is a gift in caregiving. Sometimes you will feel like you are doing everything wrong, occasionally significant. I hope you will be comforted by always doing your best in COVID-19. Please remember to take care of yourself with self-care and self-compassion. Know that you are making a difference for your care recipient, and if you need help, reach out.
Caregiving Expert – Joy Loverde
Joy Loverde is the author of, Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old?` and `The Complete Eldercare Planner.` Visit Joy’s website at www.elderindustry.com.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
It is a frightening time. All of us are watching COVID-19 headlines and wondering, “What will happen next?” Unfortunately, the same holds for eldercare. Unfortunately, uncertainty in both wills is here to stay. We, family caregivers, may, unfortunately, see uncertainty as trophies into overwhelming dread and panic. Or we may decide to manage anxiety and fears.
Plan for what you can. Start the process by engaging in three critical questions with your elder as soon as possible – How will you finance your long-term care? Where is the best place for you to live in the long run? Who is your Power-of-Attorney?
Caregiving Expert – Breeda Miller
Breeda Miller of breedamiller.com works with organizations to support professional and family caregivers. Her self-care strategies help caregivers care better for others and reduce stress and burnout. An experienced speaker, award-winning author, and d family caregiver, Breeda cared for her mother for eight years, including hospice care. Watch my viral video that has helped 1.5 mitigation viewers ease anxiety.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Caregiving Expert Karen Lake, R.N.
Karen Lake of www.Karen Lake.ca proudly works as a professional Caregiving Consultant and Care Navigator; she was called to offer this service to families after working as a Registered Nurse in Home Health Care for 20+ years.
She has a particular passion for supporting, guiding, and directing family members to be the best they can be in their caregiving role, to help them make informed choices, to be prepared, and to confidently navigate helping complex issues that come with being prepared, and confidently navigating the emotional struggles that family members face as they attempt to balance caregiving with the other demands of life; children, career, retirement, and illness. And so, she has made it her mission to serve and support family members of aging loved ones in the Fredericton area and beyond.
Gathering her years of experience and expertise, she has carefully crafted comprehensive programs tailored to each family’s needs.
What advice, as an expert, would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Co vid-19?
- Morning prayer/gratitude?
- Long walk you can do each day quit with yourself listening to your favorite music?
Caregiving Expert to bean Barbera, Ph.D.
Eleanor Feldman Barbera, Ph.D. of eleanorfeldmanbarbera.com and author of The Savvy Resident’s Guide. She is a licensed psychologist and long-term care industry expert, combining her training with decades of experience to offer innovative solutions to problems affecting cost and quality of care. Dr. Barbera counsels older adults and their families as they navigate aging and the healthcare system speaks internationally on aging and mental health issues and is the writer of the award-winning McKnight’s LTC News column, The World According to Dr. El, which offers a mental health perspective on a medical environment. In addition, Dr. Barbera has authored a large-print guidebook for residents and their families addition, es, The Savvy Resident’s Guide, contributed to AMDA The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine’s Younger Adult in the Long-Term Care Setting manual, written a chapter in Bullying in Older Adults, and has a chapter in the forthcoming tentatively-titled book Ageing Concerns Globally. She is a past columnist for advance Senior Care (formerly Long-Term Living Magazine), and her work has been featured in AMDA’s Caring for the Ages magazine and. has been seen in USA Today, AARP, Kaiser Health News, and Next Avenue.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
As a psychologist who has witnessed the impact of social isolation on COVID patients and others, I encourage caregivers to be sure their loved one has cell phone and charger with them in case they need to go to the hospital. Reduce the likelihood of loss, and label both the phone and charger with their name and your phone number. Maintaining telephone contact will help both of you, but if that fails, ask the hospital or rehab facility to have it. Still, you can meet with your loved ones to monitor their emotional well-being while their physical health is constantly attended to. If there’s no psychologist, ask for clergy or recreation staff visits.
Caregiving Expert – Pamela D. Wilson, CSA, NCG
Pamela D. Wilson, MS, BS/BA, CG, CSA, is a national caregiving expert, advocate, and speaker. Wilson hosts The Caring Generation® radio program, is the author of The Caregiving Trap, and offers corporate caregiver education programs. She may be reached through corporate caregiver education programs at 303-810-1816.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Co vid-19?
Covid-19 and caring for an elderly parent can feel overwhelming, scary, and intimidating. Don’t think that you have to know everything—seek information and education today —don’t. When I ask caregivers why they waited to contact me before becoming burned out, their response is, “it wasn’t that bad until now—now it’s awful.” This was after seeing me at a speaking event, visiting my website several times, carrying my business card in their wallet for a year, and having friends tell them they needed help. Being exhausted and burned out results in health issues requiring a caregiver and inadequate care for elderly parents.
Caregiving Expert – Anthony Cirillo
Anthony is a Global Practice Partner for Global Institutional Solutions – Healthcare and the president of The Aging Experience. He is also the creator of the Caregiver Smile Summit, a virtual, video-based, on-demand program that features experts across the caregiving spectrum. Anthony is a member of the Nationwide Financial / Ncaregiving spectrum Health and Wellness Roundtable and the Bank of America Elder Care Policy Roundtable. Anthony is a monthly contributor to The Charlotte Today program, a monthly contributor to US News and World Report, a former blogger for Huff Post 50, and the former about.com / Very Well expert in Senior Care.
He is on the national board of Senior Net and a former executive board member of the Dementia Action Alliance. In his home community, he participates in Huntersville CARES, a dementia-friendly community initiative, and is the board chairman of the Lake Norman Family Health Clinic.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
The best advice for any caregiver, new or otherwise, would be to take care of your health and make time for yourself. Do not so isolate. Stay in contact with friends virtually or otherwise. Meditate. Breath. It’s a process, and you will get through it. Hand in hand with taking care of yourself is, reaching out and asking for help from friends, family, and the community. And ask your employer about the benefits you could also be entitled to. Self-identifying as a caregiver in the workplace is also allowed, but the issue of family caregivers, especially during this time, has been elevated, and employers are becoming more receptive.
Caregiving Expert – Dr. Jill M. Bjerke, BS, DC, CAPS
Dr. Jill Bjerke is the founder of Home Transition Solutions Group, LLC. The creator of the first aging-in-place senior safety home check mobile app, Silver Spaces, first raging-in-place5, and being re-released in 2020 as a highly expanded and detailed home assessment. She is an internationally recognized aging-in-place consultant, keynote speaker addition, author, thought leader, and enterprising-in-placing agent. She is also known for crafting solutions that provide positive results.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Caregiving is not a one size fits all scenario because the person being cared for can have many different reasons for needing care, and the caregivers are many people. So many caregivers do no,t realize that there is a wealth of resources to guide them no matter the situation. Locally (Area Agencies on Aging, social service agencies, senior groups, support groups), state-based (AARP state organizations, state ombudspersons and oversight, and national (AARP, national organizations). Thereombudspersonsport group online for almost every area of caregiving to let; in addition, their person know they are not alone. Reaching out is not easy sometimes, but it can provide the support that Caregiver needs to support the person they are caring for!
Caregiving Expert – Carol Bradley Bursack
Carol Bradley Bursack is a veteran caregiver and an established columnist. She is also a blogger and the author of Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. In addition, Bradley Bursack hosts a website supporting caregivers and elders at www.minIn reserve, dingourelders.com.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Caregiving Expert – Nichole E. J. Ruffin
Nichole E. J Ruffin of Caressence Therapeutic Massage is a graduate of North Carolina A&T, State University, BS (Chemistry), and of Potomac Massage Training Institute (PMTI) in Silver Spring, MD. She is a nationally certified and licensed massage therapist and a professional American Massage Therapy Association member with 28 years of Medicincluding medical technology, cardio member vascular invasive technology, and Education. She is currently teaching massage therapy at PMTI and is the owner of Caressence Therapeutics. LLC for 14 years.
With a knowledge of anatomy and physiological allopathic medicine, Ruffin treats c holistic preventative approach. Through mass knowledge therapy, she treats your body to create an inner balance so that your body can be better prepared to ward off ailments. From Massage therapy, Certified Essential Oils Wellness Advocate, corporate chair massage, AromaTouch Technique, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Ruffin can bring your body euphoria.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Ask, Seek, Knock
Matthew 7:7-12
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and the door w will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds, and to the one everyone door will be opened.
Caregiving Expert – Donna Thomson
Donna Thomson cares for her son Nicholas (29), who has severe disabilities, and her mom, who is 96. She is the author of The Four Walls of My Freedom (House of Anansi Press, 2014). And blogs regularly at The Caregivers’ Living Room. Donna advises on research projects related to caring across ages and abilities. And teaches families how to advocate for help at home.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Caregiving Expert – Connie Chow
Connie Chow, the founder of DailyCaring, offers practical answers to the questions that family caregivers encounter daily as they care for their older adults. Visit the website to get solutions for day-to-day challenges, help with essential care decisions, and advice on planning for the future. And sign up to get the latest senior care tips delivered to your email inbox — free!
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Caregiving Expert – Phyllis Ayman
Phyllis Ayman is an expert Speech/Language Pathologist, Certified Dementia Practitioner, Trainer, and Manager, and she holds a Certification in Montessori for Dementia. She has worked in approximately 45 skilled nursing/short-term rehabilitation facilities. She is a staunch advocate and outspoken proponent of the need for improved and more dignified quality of care and respect for the over 1 million people who reside in the over 15,000 nursing homes in the US.
She is the principal owner of Phyllis Ayman Associates, passionate about preparing families to make more informed care decisions for their loved one’s care by providing valuable information from her unique inside perspective of her work in all these facilities. Also, she has started a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for purchasing iPads and mobile devices to facilitate vital virtual visits for nursing home residents who are now isolated from their families and loved ones due to the coronavirus.
Phyllis is the host of Voices for Eldercare Advocacy on the Voice America Empowerment Channel, is a proud board member of the Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (MANHR), and an advisory board member to Olive Community Services, a 501 (c) 3 in Fullerton, CA. In addition, she is the author of 2 books and several articles in national publications.
GFM page link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/senior-connections-matter
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Banning nursing home (NH) visitation has left residents and families isolated from one another, which can adversely affect well-being. Moreover, the new Caregiver, unfamiliar with the NH environment, may face anxiety about their loved one’s care and worry about the effects of feeling isolated and lonely. In addition, maintaining a family connection with nursing home residents has been challenging.
Virtual visits help mitigate these issues. Some suggestions:
- When having a virtual visit, ensure it’s conducted in the privacy of the resident’s room.
- Various staff members may visit social workers, recreational staff, and CNAs. If you’re concerned about the person facilitating the visit, sense discomfort from your loved one, or feel you’re seeing something concerning, contact the social worker, director of nursing, or administrator as soon as possible.
Caregiving Expert – Jacqueline Marcell
Jacqueline Marcell was so compelled by caring for her “challenging” elderly father and sweet mother (both with undiagnosed dementia) she wrote, “Elder Rage, or Take My Father… Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents.” It’s a best-selling Book-of-the-Month Club selection written with LOL humor and received numerous Celebrity Endorsements. The Audio version is in her voice. She is also a caregiving consultant and award-winning national speaker on eldercare and breast cancer, which she survived after caring for her parents. ElderRage.com Facebook LinkedIn
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
Covid-19, or as Mom would say, “This Too Shall Pass!”
Dearest Caregiver, I know you are applying all advised COVID precautions for safety, eating and sleeping perfectly, and exercising in your spare time (ha!). Still, I want to encourage you to program your mind with positive, energizing thoughts for… SANITY! (No, you have not lost that yet.)
I remember how difficult that was at first, so if you can’t think of anything nice to say… here, start with the only thing I could think of when I was taking care of my parents… “still breathin’!” And, if you practice deep breathing, you’ll reduce those pesky stress hormones, so you don’t get sick too, which is what happened to me after my five-year caregiving journey (the most challenging, heart-wrenching experience of my life), which I know you totally get and are nodding now.
Think about your parents, grandparents, and countless ancestors who survived horrific challenges—or you would not be here. Draw on their strength and perseverance as you boldly decide where to go each day.
Create an easy mantra-like: I will probably survive this… no, no. OMG, I sure hope I survive this… nooo. I WILL stay and thrive in this! Yes, say it all the time, over and over, mind over matter, program it in as soon as the negative thinking starts, which so often do (I can’t do this, I’m too ___, I’ve never been good at ___, (blah blah blah), yell “CANCEL” and immediately go back to repeating your mantra. You’ll immediately feel a difference in your attitude and mood—it’s pretty cool. I still use it—do it with me!
Also, resolve to keep searching for those elusive Silver Linings of overlooked opportunities. How can your experience help others who are in even worse situations? (I know, I didn’t think that was possible at the time either.) Little things you learn the hard way can become tremendous blessings for others. I know you’ve supposed and said many times: “If I only knew then what I know now, OMG!”
Seek, and ye shall find creative ways to “pay it forward” so your family and friends and those who come after you are proud of your creative compassion to help others, as well as your resilience in thriving through a tough historical time and that you did it with grit, grace—and humor! (Safe box)
Caregiving Expert – Gary Barg
Gary Barg has been a noted speaker, writer, and publisher on caregiving issues since 1995. He is also the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the first national magazine for caregivers, Today’s Caregiver. As well as the original online caregiver community, caregiver.com.
Today’s Caregiver magazine and caregiver.com combine information, advice, and readers’ stories with interviews with celebrity caregivers such as Leeza Gibbons, Rob Lowe, Dana Reeve, Barbara Eden, and Debbie Reynolds. Gary created The Fearless Caregiver Conferences, hosted across the country, bringing caregivers together to share their knowledge, experience, and wisdom. His books include The Fearless Caregiver, filled with practical advice, poetry, inspirational stories, and Caregiving Ties that Bind, with many of the over 150 celebrity caregiver cover interviews he has conducted. His newest book, You Are Not Alone, shares the advice and wisdom learned from family caregivers at over 280 Fearless Caregiver conferences held since 1998.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
We may not be able to spend as much time in person with one another as we did before Covid-19, but please realize that you are not alone. There is a lot of support online from local and national healthcare agencies using chat and various platforms such as Zoom and Facebook Live, and we have even written a book highlighting advice we have received from family caregivers at the Fearless Caregiver conferences called “You Are Not Alone: Real-World Solutions for Family Caregivers.” We will all be able to get together at support groups and meetings again, hopefully soon.
Caregiving Expert – Lori La Bey
Lori La Bey is the Founder of www.AlzheimersSpeaks.com. Lori La Bey is a passionate and inspiring keynote speaker and the founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks, a Minnesota-based advocacy group and media outlet making a global impact by providing education and support for those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Her mother struggled with dementia for over 30 years. Her radio show is also believed to be the first program dedicated to dementia in the world, along with the first webinar series called “Dementia Chats™,” whose experts are those diagnosed with the disease.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
I recommend caregivers stay calm while focusing on what each can do independently and together. Be vigilant about maintaining your relationship. Our connections are critical, so please don’t let a medical condition take that from you. I encourage people to connect to resources in their area and worldwide, as everything doesn’t have to be in your backyard to be helpful. Connect with people on a similar journey to yours as you will get priceless insights, advice, and support that will lift you when down and empower you to be your best.
Caregiving Expert – Linda Burhans
Author, Speaker, and Radio Show Host, Linda Burhans is ever awed by the strength, resilience, and commitment of the caregivers she meets and seeks to remind them that they are not alone. Help is available, and it is okay to accept that help. Unfortunately, caregivers that seek to take on everything on their own often decline in health. The most important thing she teaches is that caregivers need and deserve the time and space to care for themselves.
Whether you read her books or meet Linda in person, you will quickly realize that she truly lives by her mission. “To acknowledge and appreciate all caregivers as they care for those who can not care for themselves. I intend to empower the caregivers, ease their burdens, and help them find the joy in the journey through education, comfort, and support.”
Please join us Saturdays at noon on WTAN 106.1FM or 1340AM in the Tampa Bay Area. You can also tune in LIVE on YouTube or Apple iTunes at Connecting Caregivers Radio or Facebook at Linda Burhans. In addition, podcasts of every show and other resources can be found at LindaBurhans.com.
As a caregiving expert, what advice would you give a new caregiver when dealing with Covid-19?
During these difficult times, do your best to maintain a calm demeanor. Be reassuring and have casual conversations with them as often as possible. Frequently remind them that you’re there to assist with their needs, whatever they may be. Be patient, for it will probably be necessary to repeat yourself often throughout this ordeal. You mustn’t get yourself into a frenzy. The calmer you appear, the less unnerved they will become.
Conclusion
With all the uncertainty, I hope this has given you much comfort in caring for your loved ones. You are not alone, and we are here for you to help you through caregiving. Unfortunately, our aging loved ones and people of any age with severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more severe complications from COVID-19 illness. But with proper knowledge and care, we will get through this.
