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/