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The Carefree Caregiver: A Short Course to Peace of Mind

Carefree Caregivers: Knowledge is Power!
By Tammy I. Glenn, founder, HomeBoundResources.com

 

“Knowledge is Power” is most often attributed to England’s Sir Francis Bacon, a member of parliament and leader during the scientific revolution. It baffles me to look back on history and consider the periods of time when people were not encouraged to ask questions and empower themselves through education.

 

Naturally, when family or friends are faced with a health crisis, it’s hard to know where to start. Even with powerful search engines like Google that field billions of inquiries a day, it’s overwhelming to figure out where to begin and who to ask. I know because I’m on the receiving end of hundreds of your questions and concerns!

 

In October, I’m planning to release an online class, “Carefree Caregiver: A Short Course to Peace of Mind.” Sign up today! Call 1-877-805-0575.

• Fast Facts, Simple Information and Easy to Follow!
• You can skim through the course in close to an hour, or you can pace yourself a little bit everyday, or you can jump to the Short Course that’s most needed!
• It’s online, so you’ll enjoy real-time updates!
• You’ll have lifetime access, so you can view it as often as you like!

Finally, we’ll have something available that covers the key concerns that people have when when they find themselves in a caregiving crisis.

• Short Course One: Coordinating caregiving from near or far.
• Short Course Two: Tips for communicating successfully with physicians, family and friends.
• Short Course Three: Learn how to confront the physical demands and avoid the top injuries and killers in home healthcare.
• Short Course Four: Know the Legal Ramifications. Are you empowered to act?
• Short Course Five: Plan for financial freedom and avoid bankruptcy due to medical bills.
• Short Course Six: Manage Medical Records, or they’ll manage you! Includes our downloadable Care Management Organizer so you’re in control! 
• Short Course Seven: Instant Relief! Caring for the Caregiver 

Thanks to numerous inquiries I’ve received from people like you over the years at HomeBoundResources.com, I’m going to encapsulate the best information available into this accessible online course. You have a voice and your concerns are shared by millions of other people who are challenged by similar issues.

  

Most online courses like this one charge $200 or more. I’m rolling this out for $29.95! 

• To reserve your seat, send me an email at Tammy@HomeBoundResources.com
• Or, register in advance at http://www.udemy.com/lectures/carefree-caregiver-a-short-course-to-peace-of-mind-45813.html
• Or, Call 1-877-805-0575 
• The course will not be available until October 2011. 
• The Introductory Rate of $29 is available for a limited time only. 

If you have questions or thoughts on the course content, please send me a note at Tammy@HomeBoundResources.com

  

From My Heart to Yours,

 

Tammy I. Glenn
Founder, HomeBoundResources.com

Welcome to the Think Tank Team: Ashley Olson of WheelChairTraveling.com

HomeBoundResources is delighted to welcome Ashley Lyn Olson, founder of http://www.wheelchairtraveling.com/ to Tammy's Think Tank Team.  Accessibility is key to our mental and physical health and we applaud Ashley for establishing a website that helps us all get out and see more of the world.

It takes an impressive woman to produce such an impressive internet site.  Through her contributing articles, she's going to show us how to get around the world and back!  I think you'll enjoy her observations and advice whether or not you're in a wheelchair.  But, first, here's her personal story:

At age fourteen, I was paralyzed in a horrible car wreck that took the life of my father, crippled my mother and injured my younger sister. That one moment transformed my entire world, but it couldn’t damper my spirit. I love adventure and that passion will never die in me. After going through high school, I received a scholarship from USC where I graduated with a degree in Communications and Music Industry. I currently reside in northern California.

I believe the world offers so much to us in its contrasts of natural beauties and man-made masterpieces. It’s a place to be explored. I’ve also discovered that it’s not entirely accessible, but there are still lots of places a disabled traveler can go. Whether it be the big city or countryside, the beach or mountains, there’s opportunity everywhere.

Breaking away from our familiar boundaries and testing our limits, for a wheelchair traveler, can take courage sometimes I realize, but the journey can be intensely satisfying. That’s the main reason I created my wheelchairtraveling.com site. It’s become my mission to add as much information as I can about all the accessible destinations I know of around the world, including activities, lodging and transportation, and to seek out other wheelchair travelers who want to share these adventures with me.

Ever since my injury, my eyes have been opened to the beauty of life, from the grandest of scales to the tiniest parts. I welcome life now with open arms and remember that all journeys come from the heart. “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Ashley Lyn Olson

Sign up now to reserve your seat in Tammy's One Week (non-crash) Course in Caregiving!

COMING THIS OCTOBER 2011!

http://www.udemy.com/one-week-non-crash-course-in-caregiving/

Caregivers: Access-Ability!

Access to the outdoors becomes a tremendous challenge when one is faced with physical challenges that make it difficult to get to the bathroom, let alone to get outside the house. It’s so important to overcome those obstacles and demand that sunshine and fresh air be a daily part of your routine.

Admittedly, 20 years after the fact, I can see that having been a caregiver for so many years of my life, I am conditioned to being homebound. The healthy approach is to access the outdoors and soak up all the delicious nutrients that are beyond the front door. If we live in a vacuum, we deprive ourselves of the richness of living. The life ingredients that come from outside experiences are what make me feel alive!

Start with the basics. Wheelchair ramps, patient lifts, accessible vans are tools that are available. Once you have those tools in place, you’ll need a roadmap! Allow me to suggest one of my favorite places!

Nestled along the California Coast about half-way between Santa Barbara and Malibu is a special park founded by WWII Veteran Ed Hunt. I don’t think we can give this man enough thanks and praise for bringing his vision of an accessible beach park to fruition.

Ed Hunt has left a lasting legacy for all of us to enjoy—especially if you use a wheelchair. Ed, who was a diabetic, was diagnosed at the age of 70 with blood pressure and heart problems. He suffered a stroke that hospitalized him for three months and left the entire left side of his body paralyzed.

During his recovery, Ed longed to visit the ocean. His friends and family literally had to carry him, wheelchair and all, to the water. That experience was the impetus for building a pathway to the ocean to provide access for people that use wheelchairs and walkers.

His vision, perseverance, and tenacity, coupled with the support of his friends and the City of Oxnard, was the foundation for "Rehab Point Project," a nonprofit corporation. Ed personally contributed funds and solicited donations, enlisting the help of local contractors, the City of Oxnard and a U.S. Naval Construction Battalion.

In 1992 the Rehab Point Project was opened to the public with the construction of the first 70 feet of concrete pathway and a 20 foot oval pad. Today, the pathway is now 900 feet long!

Rehab Point is my favorite example of accessibility, but it’s not the only one out there. Check out the USDA Forest Service for options near you!

August Inspiration by Chris Rohan, www.DisabledDealerMagazine.com

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” - Buddha

Choosing to live in the past or the future not only robs you of enjoyment today, it robs you of truly living. The only important moment is the present moment. With that goal in mind, consider this list of ten tips below to start living your life in the present:

1.  Remove unneeded possessions, remove clutter.
2.  Smile. Each day is full of endless possibilities! Start it with a smile. You are in control of your attitude every morning. How does that song go? Smile and the whole world smiles with you.
3.  Fully appreciate the moments of today.
4.  Forgive past hurts. If you are harboring resentment towards another human being because of past hurts, choose to forgive and move on. The harm was their fault. Allowing it to impact your mood today is your fault.
5.  Love your job. If you totally hate your job. Make a decision. You can quit. Or, you can change your attitude. Whatever you do, do it now.
6.  Dream about the future, but work hard today. Dreams are good, and don’t let them replace livin--today.
7.  Don’t dwell on past accomplishments.
8.  Stop worrying! Tomorrow is going happen, and worrying is a waste of time. Worrying is a great thief of time. Robbing you of the present moment.
9.  Think beyond old solutions to problems. Our world is changing so fast. What worked in the past may not work today. Keep an open mind.
10.  Conquer addictions. Addictions in your life hold you hostage. Find help. Take the steps.

Now, I am going to put this on my refrigerator and I will try to follow day by day.
 

Chris Rohan is the publisher of DisabledDealerMagazine.com, serving individuals with physical challenges throughout California, Nevada and Arizona.  She was inspired to take on the magazine when her son, Bobby, suffered a spinal cord injury in March 1989.  Find out more at http://www.disableddealermagazine.com/

Tammy's Think Tank Team Welcomes Chris Rohan!



Chris Rohan
Publisher
http://www.disableddealermagazine.com/

 Tammy's Think Tank Team is pleased to welcome Chris Rohan, publisher of DisabledDealerMagazine.com! 

DisabledDealerMagazine.com serves thousands of individuals with physical challenges throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. Though Chris knew little about turning out a publication, she was inspired to take on the magazine when her son, Bobby, suffered a spinal cord injury in March 1989.


Leveraging more than 20 years of experience working in orthopedics and her drive to stay informed on the latest developments affecting her son’s disability, she embarked on publishing with little knowledge of the industry.

Today, Bobby lives independently with his wife and daughter while Chris pursues her passion with the magazine. She takes great pride in providing the most up-to-date information to her readers. To that end, she now makes the print publication available online to a nationwide audience using a state-of-the-art, interactive program. To subscribe, visit http://www.disableddealermagazine.com/

Putting the Emphasis on What You CAN do!

By Kristin McNealus, PT
Kristin@scitotalfitness.com
scitotalfitness.com
562.645.6348


As this is my first blog for the HomeBoundResources audience, I will start with introducing myself. My name is Kristin, and I am a physical therapist practicing with people who have neurological injuries (i.e. stroke, spinal cord injury, MS, etc.) After years of working on improving the mobility problems my patients were having, I decided to change my focus toward emphasizing what people can do, and how to maximize this to stay healthy!
I love Newton’s Law of Motion “a body at rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion, unless the body is compelled to change its state.” This basic law of physics can be easily applied to our physical state, don’t you agree?

How many of you have put exercise low on your “to do” list so that it frequently is what does not get done? This is common, but you can see how doing this for a week easily becomes a month, and for some – years!

For people who have difficulties with their mobility, do you let your caregivers or loved ones do things for you that you could be doing yourself - which further limits your activity?

For caregivers, do you skip your own workout because you are tired after a day of work?

Let’s discuss some of the positives of incorporating even minimal exercise into your routine if you are limited in your mobility:

- Decrease risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid profile
- People with physical disabilities tend to carry more fat than able-bodied counterpoints, particularly in abdominal area, which is correlated with increased risk of heart disease
- Additional weight impacts function by making transferring and walking more difficult. Exercise and improve or maintain the independence you have!
- Exercise can lower risk of secondary complications of disability such as development of some forms of cancer, respiratory illness, and UTI
- Exercise can decrease feelings of anxiety or stress
- Exercise can manage pain
- Exercise can decrease constipation
- Exercise can improve muscle strength, endurance, self image, and ability to fall asleep and sleep well
- Exercise can reduce hospitalizations!!
- Exercise will improve overall quality of life 

It is important that you encourage your caregivers to help you get exercise, as well as encourage them to incorporate exercise into their own lives!!

Exercise is equally important for caregivers because:

- Decrease risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid profile
- Exercise will decrease your risk of injury from the physical job that you do
- Exercise can decrease feelings of anxiety or stress – it is important to take time for yourself!!
- Exercise can manage pain you may have from your job
- Exercise can improve muscle strength and endurance, making your job easier!
- Exercise can improve self image, and ability to fall asleep and sleep well
- Exercise will improve overall quality of life 

It is important that you encourage and assist your client to help you get exercise, as well as make time to incorporate exercise into your own life!

It is important that you find something that you enjoy for exercise; otherwise you will not stick to the routine. I will discuss these options in future blog entries. In the meantime, think about your options and challenges.

Thank you for welcoming me to your group!

Learn more about SCI Total Fitness here!

Introducing Tammy's Think Tank Team!

One of the most valuable lessons we can learn as Caregivers is that we can't do it all alone.  I'm going to set an example by inviting some of my good friends to join us in blogging on topics of their expertise.  Look for their valuable advice to be featured regularly in the months to come.  I hope you'll challenge us with your questions.  Remember, we may not have all the answers, but together, we should be able to point you toward finding a solution that will work for your special needs. 


It is an honor and a privilege to welcome the following founding members of our Think Tank Team:


Mr. Andrew Angulo, angl747.com, was riding recklessly on his motorcycle in 2009.  He crashed, breaking his spine in three places.  Now paralyzed from the waist down, Andrew hasn't lost a moment since the accident.  He uses his skill as a filmmaker, with the love and support of family and friends, to take us all on his journey of recovery and daily life in a wheelchair.  His goal is to show as many people as possible that "You can get back to life and still do what you love."  He is the father of three beautiful children and I hope you'll find him as inspiring as I do!


Mr. David Block, blindfilmmaker.com.  David is passionate about educating the public concerning the plight of veterans and people with disabilities.  He is a prolific writer and fellow columnist at DisabledDealerMagazine.com, as well as a dedicated filmmaker.  To this end, with little or no budget, he has produced several documentaries, which illuminate the talents, strengths, and challenges of the blind athlete, the injured hero, and the forgotten veteran.  He personally promotes his work by teaching the blind sport goalball to fully-sighted people.




Ms. Dee Jaye Clark,  TheRelationshipNavigator.com.  Dee Jaye has primarily built her reputation on helping singles and couples navigate their way through the difficulties that arise in their relationships.  Now serving in a caregiving role to her parents, we've had more than one discussion about the family dynamics that exist for Caregivers.  To our good fortune, Dee Jaye has offered to share her wisdom with us about Siblings, Stubborn Parents, Step-Spouses and More!


Ms. Karen Kain, LorrinsWorld.com, is the author of "The Art of Allowing."  She cared for her daughter, Lorrin, for several years following severe vaccine damage that resulted in countless hospital stays, deep comas and months of life support.  Karen is one of the strongest women I've ever met.  The journey with her daughter didn't end when Lorrin died.  Karen is an advocate for mothers who are caregivers, she speaks regularly on the potential for vaccine damage, and she is an example of how a human being transforms the greatest tragedies into the most extraordinary Life experiences--through Hope, Laughter and Love.


Ms. Monique McGivney, marketing director for Vantage Mobility International, LLC, is a fellow columnist with DisabledDealerMagazine.  Monique is extremely knowledgeable about accessible vehicles.  Prior to launching any new product, VMI gathers all types of people from caregivers to end uses in scooters, manual chairs, and power chairs to determine usability, functionality and appeal.  She's had tremendous exposure to the mobility industry over the years and can help point us in the right direction to try to take the "bound" out of HomeBound.  More info on VMI can be found at vantagemobility.com/


Ms. Kristin McNealus, PT, ATP, SCITotalFitness.com, received her Master's in Physical Therapy from Boston University and went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions.  Her work experience includes being a staff physical therapist on in patient rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries.  She uses her passion for exercise and knowledge of what the body is capable of performing to empower each client to reach his/her personal goals.


I hope you enjoy the new contributing bloggers to HomeBoundResources, and I thank each of them for their time and commitment. In addition to these colleagues, I am in the process of confirming contributors who will address issues concerning Medicare, Hospice, Incontinence, Nutrition and other critical topics.  Together, we hope to provide you with one of the most robust and interesting blogs on caregiving available.


Enjoy, and please drop me a note at Tammy@HomeBoundResources.com if I can help identify resources that will help give you some greater peace and joy in your journey.


From My Heart to Yours,
Tammy

Casino Night for Triumph

If you're near Santa Clarita, California, join Triumph for Casino Night and help raise money for a great organization!

Tammy Tested! Caregiver Approved!

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

If you are fortunate to have an opportunity to purchase a vehicle that is equipped for your special needs, I highly recommend dealers who are members of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers, driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment.

It’s been leading the dialogue on mobility for 22 years. You can do a search for the closest participating dealer in your area right on their website at www.nmeda.com or you can call them at (800) 833-0427. More than 600 dealers participate in the U.S. and Canada, and they agree to participate in guidelines and standards that assure a high level of quality, safety and reliability in the products they offer. In fact, NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program is a recognized accreditation program for the mobility equipment industry.

NMEDA also sponsors an annual conference for dealers that raises the benchmark and keeps manufacturers on the cutting edge of design for persons with physical challenges. Maintaining a competitive edge result in demand for products that are continuously under review and subject to improvement.

Caregivers: Start Your Engines!

It was a hot, sweaty Tuesday morning in summer. Dad and I used the portable patient lift to put Mom into the passenger seat of the mini-van. We were running late—again! Stress was high. He started the engine, turned the air conditioning on to make us comfortable, and loaded the wheelchair and patient lift into the van.

Dad hopped into the driver’s seat, put his seatbelt on, threw the gear into reverse and backed out of the driveway—right into my little blue Honda Prelude that was parked across the street. I could have cried, but I’m laughing now. Nobody said a word. My poor Dad put his head in his hands, shook it off and drove to the doctor.

Wait! I have another story from a daughter (let’s call her Fran) who was taking care her mother, an Alzheimer’s patient. Talk about stress. Fran was running errands. She hopped in the car, grabbed the seatbelt, lights, put the gearshift in reverse. She backed the car right into the garage door! Oopsy! The second time—yes, the second time!—that she forgot to open the garage door, she admitted she might need a break.

Thank goodness nobody was hurt in either case. These are examples of caregivers who need a break. Caregiver Burn-Out is real and sometimes costly. You can’t afford not to put the brakes on.

If you’re a multi-tasker who must make the best use of your time, then consider some recreational ideas that will help you gas up and fill everyone’s tank. Here’s a favorite that I was able to share with my Dad after his encounter with my Honda Prelude.

Performance Driving School. Honestly, I thought this was going to be a day of quality time and togetherness for my Dad and me. As it turned out, we still had a blast, but we weren’t exactly together. I enrolled us in a class about an hour away from the house and we drove separate vehicles. Once we arrived, we were trained on a number of obstacle courses where we learned how to navigate our vehicle through skids, high speeds, hydroplaning, and hairpin turns.

Not only was this a total rush, we both learned so much about what a vehicle can and can’t do. The training reinforced our hand-eye coordination and generally gave us more confidence in our driving. Most importantly, my Dad had a recreational break that was completely contrary to the kind of relaxation he might otherwise schedule.

The point is to charge your batteries. Sometimes we have to look for experiences that are outrageous, outside of our traditional comfort zone. Putting ourselves in a situation that demands our full attention. Believe me, flying down a racetrack at 100 miles an hour and hitting the brakes required every brain cell I had. My attention—and my Dad’s—was diverted from the stress of caregiving long enough to give us the tune-up we all needed.

Now, start your computer’s search engine and look for “High Performance Driving School + ” and see what pops up!

Rock Bottom Rate! SCI Total Fitness

Foodies with Disabilities Get Cookin' in the Kitchen

What a great program for foodies in Chicago! Especially, if you're a Foodie with a disability. Not only is this a good story about a cooking program for individuals with special challenges, but I'm so pleased to see a major city like Chicago with a deaf reporter who's bringing us the story.

Here's a link to the story:

Tammy Tested. Caregiver Approved. 3ELove

It’s a sign! A sign that communicates values and triumph. “Embrace Diversity. Educate Your Community. Empower Each Other. Love Life.”

When I turned the corner at the April Abilities Expo in Los Angeles, I witnessed a crowd of people jockeying for position at the cash register. What a great sight to see in a challenging economy! These shoppers were looking for a sign, and they found it at 3ELove. Check out the creative twist on the universal sign that dates back to the politically-incorrect days of “Handicapped.” 3ELove replaced the wheels with a heart. Brilliant!

Founded in 2007 by siblings Annie and Stevie Hopkins, 3E Love is a disability awareness clothing line and marketing company. Their mission is all about living life no matter the obstacles, and I think they’ve created a universal sign that will be as familiar and popular as the “Happy Face.”

“By replacing the wheel with a heart, the stigma of the wheelchair is also removed, and it can be a symbol for people with any disability or impairment. It represents the person, not society's perception of their lack in abilities,” according to the website, www.3elove.bigcartel.com. “The symbol is an attitude and a lifestyle. It's accepting one's abilities and rallying around that diversity and turning it into strength.”

3ELove is a powerful example of turning your creative ideas into reality! What’s in your Imagination?

Express Your SELF!

I know from experience that the benefits of having an outlet for creative expression helps me maintain balance in my life critical to the health of my Mind, Body and Spirit. Dedicating time to creativity and self-expression also is an area that takes a backseat on a regular basis. I’m reminded of this given that my father is a professional musician and my husband is a professional artist.

The dominant part of their time is spent on their craft. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to make it down my checklist to see if I have 45 minutes left in the day to squeeze in my workout and to practice guitar. My dad and my husband, however, spend hours writing music, practicing horns, sketching and painting. At the end of the day, they’ll tell me they are still searching for that one melody or that one canvas that’s just perfect.

Having lived with two artisans for so many years, I know there may be another driver at work. No matter what else draws on their attention, they both always have something to look forward to. Neither rest on their laurels talking about the song, book or painting they someday will produce. Instead, they’re busy toiling away at their heart’s desire. What a delicious way to live your life!

Intuitively in my early 20’s, I must have known the impact of pursuing a personal dream. My mother, as you may know had been bedbound for years. At this point in my 20’s, she was diagnosed with a relatively painless, but terminal Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and given weeks to live. I was devastated at the thought of losing my mom—and bound and determined to do everything to keep her.

To that end, I wanted everything about her. I wanted every recipe recorded, every story, every piece of advice. Selfishly, I hired a journalism student, Brenda, from my alma mater to work with her on “Katrin’s Korners,” a book my mom had always talked about writing, but never made time to write. Brenda spent 10 hours a week with her on this project.

Admittedly, Brenda offered my mother a level of attention, respect and patience that I would not have. In those hours they spent together, my mother documented for me and my sisters all the short stories we’d heard growing up. The early stories start around the time of the Great Depression, then move to World War II and birth of the Big Band Era, and the revolution of women and the coming of the 21st Century. One theme I picked up on is that no matter the mood around her, my mom was determined to make lemons into lemonade. She lived her whole life that way. The terminal weeks predicted for my mother turned into months, and the months turned into more than a year. It might have been the book project that stretched the weeks for us, but in my heart I believe there is a Greater Spirit that makes the universe tick.

When I founded HomeBoundResources.com, posting my mother’s book, “Katrin’s Korners” was one of my first goals. It took a few years, but it’s there now for the world to read.

In celebration of this month’s theme in www.DisabledDealerMagazine.com, I’ve discounted the books on the website to less than $10. Please check them out at http://www.homeboundresources.com/publications.html, and I hope my mom serves as an inspiration to you.

Don’t wait any longer to pursue your passions. Seize today and discover how much your creativity can energize your life!

Tammy Tested. Caregiver Approved.

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid!

Laughter is the best medicine! Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian are two sisters who also happen to be ordinary mothers of special children. Gina’s daughter, Katie, has Asperger’s syndrome and Patty’s daughter, Jennifer, has bipolar disorder. In 2006, they abandoned the dream of being perfect moms with perfect kids and published their first book, “Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents with Special Children.” Now published by Random House, these two moms are sharing their lessons on how to approach real life and real parenting with a sense of humor and a loaded toolbox of resources. Here’s an example of genuine caregivers sharing their successes and failures with a broader community. Their website and blog, www.ShutUpAbout.com , is honest and funny. They’re gaining a following from coast to coast, and their book is reasonably priced around $15. Sign up to follow their blog, and be prepared for a busy site where you’ll discover lots of other parents who not only follow, but actively post replies—which may or may not work for you depending upon how your notifications tuned. Most of all, they have a great attitude and I hope they put a smile on your face the way they did on mine.

Tammy I. Glenn is the founder of HomeBoundResources.com and
HomeBoundResources.BlogSpot.com. She serves as an expert advisor on elder care/aging to KCET-TV Los Angeles and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the National Senior Citizens Bureau. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a caregiver to her mother and is the author of “25 Simple Tips for Caregivers” in addition to numerous contributed articles.

What's in your toolbox?

(Tammy's nephew, Blake, takes after his Great Grampa, Sam "Daddy Jazz" Glenn. Here he is rockin' out at his band's first gig in October 2010.)

One of the greatest personal challenges I’ve faced has been to define my identity within the context of the strong women in my family, particularly my mother. I never doubted for a minute that my Mom—even totally bedbound—wasn’t fully capable of accomplishing anything she set out to do. Same thing with my sisters.

Growing up in the shadow of such strong women is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I inherited so many of their incredible qualities. On the other, I had an opportunity to consciously break some destructive patterns and cut my own path. The latter journey is the richest and most difficult to achieve. My mother had high expectations for me. One of them was that I would earn a college degree, another was that I would not pursue a traditional path toward marriage, but rather explore my career options before setting out to get married and have a family. As one more example, she wanted me to be financially independent in that I would know how to earn, save and invest my own money.

Keep in mind that these were cutting edge ideas for a woman, especially born to someone who was raised during the Great Depression. My mother was a teenager during World War II, and a wife and mom during the 1950’s when women barely had driver’s licenses, let alone their own bank accounts.

The point is that we can visualize extraordinary lives for our children. The challenge is to arm them with the tools not only so that they can visualize for themselves, but also so that they can overcome generational obstacles in order to cut their own paths.

Kids—with autism, physical or mental challenges—deserve the best toolbox we can provide. Remember the old Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” That’s where your parenting challenge comes in.

We all have challenges. Armed with the right tools, however, we can tackle most anything. It begins with your own paradigm, your own pattern of behavior, which I believe can be altered by asking oneself, “If I could, how would I?” And, more importantly, pass this idea down to a child, “If you could, how would you?”

Nine year old Ryan, whom I met at the Abilities Expo, dismissed the pinball machines a few years back when he first met Chris and Jim Rohan at the Disabled Dealer booth. How could a kid who couldn’t use his arms possibly play pinball? Jim asked that question, found the answer, and today, Ryan is a Pinball Whiz!

Beware your own self-imposed limitations! And, remember that these challenges are just part of the characteristics of who we are. The challenges do not define us. It’s how we use the toolbox that defines us.

I dedicate this month’s column to my handsome nephew, Blake, who I believe is more challenged being a teenager right now than he is by autism. In fact, I sometimes have to be reminded that autism is a challenge for him at all. Blake is a whiz on the electric guitar, he knows how to operate a flight simulator, plays a mean hand of cards, and he filmed and produced the video of my wedding. This is a young man who was and is armed with an extraordinary toolbox—and so far, I haven’t seen many obstacles that he’s not confident to tackle. I’m so proud of you, Blake, for using the tools available to you. And, to Blake’s mom, Kristen, thank you for setting such a great example for mothers who have special kids!

Mobility Matters Newsletter

Mobility Matters is the bimonthly newsletter committed to providing information and advice to overcome mobility challenges. Subscribe now and download a free PDF of the 2010 Handicap Accessible Wheelchair Van Buyer's Guide.

Sign up for free at:
http://vanconinc.com/

Have you seen the latest Abilities Buzz?

The Abilities Expo publishes a free monthly newsletter that is packed with resources. I hope you'll check it out!

Here's a link to the February issue which featured Yours Truly!

http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/buzz26.html

Tammy Tested. Caregiver Approved. The Abilities Expo

For more than 30 years, The Abilities Expo has been serving the lives of people of all ages with all types and levels of disabilities. I vividly remember the first time I learned about and attended the Abilities Expo. It would have been in the late 1980’s. My father and I went together and we saw all kinds of products and learned about various services available to the community.

In particular, I remember a Lift Chair that would elevate (example pictured) to help a person get near standing before putting significant weight on the legs. My Dad and I were fascinated by the then-advanced technology, and wishing we’d known about this a few years prior when my mother might have been able to benefit from it. We also saw bath aids, patient lifts, and a variety of wheelchairs. Talk about two kids in a candy store! Think how far we’ve advanced in the last 15 years!

The Abilities Expo is now in its 32nd year. Technology has evolved, as have the menu of products and services. In addition to the opportunity to visit with a lot of vendors in one location, The Abilities Expo also offers relevant workshops on important topics like accessibility, financial planning, how to purchase an adaptive vehicle, travel, dating and more. Among the other highlights I enjoy are the sporting events and entertainment geared especially toward individuals with physical challenges. Moreover, I found it very comforting to attend a conference with like-minded individuals who understood the challenges my family and I were encountering every day! This was a great way to meet new friends, and to expand my knowledge and support system.

The Abilities Expo is coming to Los Angeles April 15-17, and the Expo also is held throughout the country in New York Chicago, Houston, San Jose and Atlanta throughout the year. There’s no charge to attend and my compliments to American Airlines for offering a 5% discount for travel to the L.A. show.

While it’s my pleasure to tell you that I’ve personally tested out the Abilities Expo and know a number of caregivers who wouldn’t miss it, I have one criticism. The Los Angeles Convention Center is not the easiest venue to navigate—and that’s my own personal experience, on foot, in my sneakers! Still, the fact that the Expo demands a large venue like the one L.A. has to offer tells me that the show continues to grow and that means greater products and services are available.

For more information, check out their website at: http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/ I hope to meet you there!

Caregivers: Giving our stamp of approval!

Last month, I worked with my team of advisors to introduce a new stamp of approval: The HomeBoundResources.com “Tammy Tested. Caregiver Approved” Seal of Approval. My motivation for doing this stems from years of frustration investing in expensive products and services that yielded failed expectations.

It is reported that the combined market for U.S. home healthcare products has approached and may have surpassed a $5 billion industry. $5 billion! Products are costly, difficult to obtain and usually don’t offer a money-back guarantee or return policy. Furthermore, while manufacturers have good intentions, the best product designers are ones who have been in the trenches and can empathize with physical challenges of being both the caregiver and the patient.

It’s unfortunate, but manufacturers still are not refining their designs with the end-user in mind. I’ve heard from numerous caregivers who continue to find mistakes made not only in the design of products, but in the overall accessibility. The voice of the caregiver and the patient are not being heard in the healthcare industries that serve the population. Furthermore, each care experience is unique, and individuals still must evaluate products based on their personal range of abilities, affordability and physical requirements. I think this becomes easier with time and experience, but caregivers who are new to their situation don’t have that luxury.

The HomeBoundResources.com Seal of Approval uses some basic methods of evaluation to set a benchmark. Most importantly, by offering the Seal, I hope to raise awareness of Empathic Design and encourage manufacturers to engineer their products with the utmost sensitivity. Based on my experience and in consultation with numerous caregivers and patients across the globe, I developed the following criteria for evaluating a product, and I hope to apply this to services as well:

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  Empathic Design o Is the end-user in mind? Has the manufacturer consulted with caregivers and patients to incorporate the attributes that will best serve their customers?


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  Demonstrated Use o How widely tested/used is the product by caregivers/patients?


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  Functional Quality o What thought went into the materials, construction, and weight?


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  Accessibility o While the patient may be the ultimate end-user, the product must consider the caregiver’s role. How easy is this to use? What is the pricing/return policy? Is a demonstration available either in person or on the internet? Will the patient be self-sufficient? How much help is required?


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  Aesthetic Quality o Adaptive devices are plentiful, but will the patient take pride in using this product?


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  Manufacturer’s Reputation o How is the manufacturer perceived in the care giving community? Do they maintain a Satisfactory rating or better by the Better Business Bureau?

We’re in this together, and the criteria are not cut in stone. As our knowledge increases and new technologies emerge, so too will the criteria for the Seal of Approval. For now, please join me and other caregivers in sending a message to empathetic manufacturers and designers. Make sure the voice of the caregiver and the patient are heard by demanding effective products and services.

When siblings buy their way out of caregiving...

Tammy,

I am so excited to write to you. I would love to start a community support group for caregivers. I have been caregiving for quite awhile...first my husband during his illness till he passed away, then my father, and now my mother. I love taking care of my family, but I do get overwhelmed, and lonely at times.

My biggest frustration has been my feeling of resentment towards my siblings, their attitude that it is my obligation, that they don't have to be a part of this.

They contribute money to Mom's financial situation, but it ends there.

Thanks for your wonderful website.
Lindsay

The Fold-Away Wheelchair Shower

(As published in the February 2011 edition of Disabled Dealer. http://www.disableddealermagazine.com/)

How much is a shower worth to you?

If you don't have bathroom facilities that will accommodate your physical challenges, then access to a portable shower that can be set up in the privacy of your own home may be the answer.

I wish the FAWSsit had been available when I was a caregiver for my mother. Without major renovations, our home bathroom would not accommodate her for either the toilet or the shower. The sponge bath was her only option and we were fortunate that she never encountered any significant health issues that were related to hygiene.

The FAWSsit has been available for several years now and used by countless individuals with special needs. This is the kind of Empathic Design that I look for in good quality products. The fact that it was designed by a caregiver and tested by people with multiple challenges gives me greater confidence in my recommendation.

Take a look at http://www.fawssit.com/ for specific details. This portable shower weighs in at about 40 pounds, is user-friendly and comes in several models that adapt to various situations. It sets up in five minutes near a kitchen or bathroom sink and offers a fair amount of privacy and easy clean-up. I do recommend the accompanying water-resistant travel wheelchair for use with this portable shower. While total costs are likely to be far less than a remodel, a good shower is priceless!