Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Faced with an awful trifecta, J Smiles and Zetty must quarantine for two weeks with zero additional caregivers. The stress is compounded when Zetty returns from the hospital less healthy than when she went in. J has to throw old tried and true measures out the window and learn new tricks to get her mom's recovery started. J shares examples of hard learned "what works" and "what does not work" with grueling detail. J formulates new methods galore - medicine, food and hygiene.  Be ready for a wide range of emotions. This episode's Snuggle Up is a powerful plea aimed at helping others avoid this fiasco.

J Smiles really delivers on products and services to caregivers consider:
http://purewickathome.com (noninvasive female catheter)
http://parentgiving.com (general product website)
http://prevail.com  (we use women's overnight ALL the time)
http://tracyecarter.com (Zetty's chef)
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bidet-toilet-seat-washlet/ (ny times bidet toilet seat article)

Let's get to a CURE - Pls donate to Alz. Assoc.'s  The Longest Day:
http://act.alz.org/goto/alzetti2020

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"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
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J Smiles pours out her heart in this episode.  Believing Zetty has a simple Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), she is forced to call 911.  It turns out to be much more serious. The ER presents one obstacle after another as J tries to guide the staff on best practices and techniques to get Zetty to acquiesce to the many tests. Routine blood and urine samples become stressful, silly displays of the massive void regarding Alzheimer's disease awareness within the ER staff. 

Fortified by love, J fights to reduce her mom's "process" pain and establish a care plan with as many protective parameters as possible. J Smiles uses precise analogies and examples to give the listener an audio-visual of the emergency room and series of mishaps experienced due to ill prepared medical personnel. A hospital is for healing... usually. 

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"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles addresses the nightmare dilemma every caregiver faces sooner or later... whether or not to use 911 (or another emergency medical service). The decision is compounded by the dementia person's inability to communicate. J also touches on the elusive vasovagal syncope and Zetty's experience with it. As always, she uses love, levity and transparency to transport her listeners.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles' completes the two part conversation with Dr. Sandea Greene-Harris, neurosurgeon and caregiver. Dr. Sandy clears up a common misconception of dementia. The two share personal stories of prioritizing caregiving responsibilities. The laughs are infectious as they recount a few childhood memories from Montgomery, Alabama. This conversation provides raw insight and supportive methods to get through life as a caregiver.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles begins the two part conversation with Dr. Sandea "Dr. Sandy" Greene-Harris.  Dr. Sandy was introduced to you in Ep 1 and now you get to hear why this neurosurgeon was uniquely situated to become president of Zetty's board of brain health. The episode centers on Dr. Sandy's positions as mother, wife, daughter, caregiver and surgeon. J Smiles asks poignant questions on balancing life as a sandwich generation ambassador. Dr. Sandy uses a soft-science approach and plain language to identify advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. Each woman talks about locating emotional equilibrium as the primary caregiver for her mom.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles shares how the stress of caregiving created physical sickness landing her at the hospital. Plus, she walks you through her journey of grief as a caregiver for Zetty, who has Alzheimer's.  

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"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

J Smiles' conversation with DeWanda Smith, The Zetty Whisperer, continues with more comical stories and more tips. DeWanda's easy going manner shines through as an excellent approach to administering care. Specific examples of what is challenging and what is rewarding about caregiving are included.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
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YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
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Zetty's first, and best caregiver, joins J Smiles to recount, relive and laugh. Listen to  DeWanda Smith, the Zetty whisperer, share how and why she became a caregiver after retiring from the corporate world. DeWanda and J Smiles get into the caregiver nitty gritty of daily life, needing help, outings with Zetty and staying sane. 

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
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YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
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Zetty requires 24/7 care and J Smiles is clueless as to how to provide it. J Smiles gets ideas and suggestions from internet searches and a childhood friend. Undaunted and overwhelmed, J Smiles traipses into the uncharted territory of getting H.E.L.P.

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review! 

Shocked by the doctor's advice of emergency brain surgery for her mother (Zetty), J Smiles asks God for a sign. With the prayer answered, she is consumed with saving her mother's life. The events that unfold make it obvious that both of their lives will never be the same. 

Support the show

"Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
Be sure to leave us a review!