Redefining Caregiving

Redefining Caregiving

By Samantha Damm- Mother, Author, Teacher, alchemistEducationHow To
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Redefining Caregiving episodes

  • #29 Should You Multi-task? - Your brain isn't wired for it

    Our brains are not designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Recent studies have shown that multitasking often leads to a decrease in performance quality. It's beneficial to avoid multitasking as it can create stress for our brains. As caregivers, reducing stress should be a priority. One effective way to do this is by dedicating our attention to one task at a time, rather than juggling several tasks. While the idea of not multitasking might seem challenging, especially for caregivers or parents, focusing solely on one task at a time can be more productive. This approach is essentially a practice in concentration. Personal experience suggests that this method results in accomplishing more with fewer errors.

    For instance, I used to talk to someone while preparing dinner, leading to frequent trips to the refrigerator and only partially listening to the conversation. This not only prolonged dinner preparation but also made me feel disconnected from the person I was conversing with.

    Our overall quality of life diminishes when we don’t engage fully in our activities. I encourage trying to align more with your brain's natural way of functioning by multitasking less. Focusing completely on one task at a time allows for more efficient completion and a quicker transition to the next task.


    https://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-mind/stress/article/think-your-brain-can-multitask-it-cant


    Feel free to email me for suggestions and comments about my podcast. I would love to hear from you!

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/

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    Always Caring, Samantha

    7 min
  • Loss Grows Gratitude - Suffering is inevitable and so is joy

    Hi everyone!

    This episode is about when we suffer a loss in our lives, we also have an opportunity to experience gratitude later. Sometimes we become grateful for what we've learned through our suffering or pain. Loss can create some negative feelings for us, but we can choose to be grateful for what we received in the way of benefits. 

    Pain and loss are inevitable. We should do our best to keep balance in our life and hold on to moments when we feel grateful for feeling good about something. It can take a while to recover, but give it time and you will make it to the point where you feel better one day at a time. Life is here for you not against you. The sooner you can move away from the suffering and into the light, you can begin to enjoy your life again. 

    Include yourself in the care you give by looking for the blessing in your life. 

    Thank you so much for your time today. If you would like to learn more about me or the services I offer, email me at [email protected], or visit

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/

    FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving

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    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm

    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving

    Always Caring, Samantha 

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    14 min
  • Once You Commit -Now you are a caregiver, so what next?

    Nobody teaches us what to do in the event of becoming a caregiver immediately to someone. We have ideas about what we should do, and there's information online to learn, but once you are thrown into caregiving it can feel like your life is flipped upside down. 

    In this podcast I share what to do immediately following your decision to care for someone. If you take the time from the start, you can save yourself a ton of heartache. 

    Remember to include yourself in the care you give by taking time to self-reflect at every stage in caregiving. Stay in touch with how you feel and make adjustments along the way that fit into your lifestyle and the person you care for. Both of you will be happier. 

    Enjoy and please let me know what you think, or share ideas for future podcasts by emailing me at

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/

    FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redefiningcaregivingbook/?hl=en

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm

    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving 

    Always Caring, Samanth

    8 min
  • A Penney for Your Time - Look for minutes throughout your day

    They say time is money. Is it? If every minute of the day was worth a penny you you would have 1440 pennies. That equals $14.40. If you have 30 days in a month, your total hours lived would be worth $423 a month. We can't put a value on the most precious thing of time.  Even if we valued every minute we are alive at a worth of only one penny, that's pretty valuable. How much do you think your time is worth? I know mine is more than a penny. 

    I'm trying to get you to see the value in your time. All of us can relate to money, but money can't buy us relief, peace of mind or health. I want you to think how every minute of your day is so important in the scheme of your life. 

    Just like when you collect pennies in a jar, you would eventually have a hefty sum. What if you did the same with every minute of your day. Even while you sleep, your body is being productive. It's working hard to restore itself and the brain in remember everything you learned throughout the day. 

    Sometime we feel like the day goes by too fast and we don't have time to get things done. When you keep track of the minutes and are mindful of your time spent on activities, you can choose to save some minutes for yourself. 

    It comes down to not taking time for granted. The one thing caregivers need most is more time and rest. Now, you have another skill to use in creating those things for yourself. 

    Keep track of your minutes and when you build up a nice reserve, use it for restoring yourself. 

    Always remember to include yourself in the care you give! 


    Any donation is appreciated. It's a form of self-care for myself that I ask. It supports me, as I spend time making daily podcasts and provide resources for beautiful people like you. Thank you for considering and sharing.

    Write me at [email protected]

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/

    FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redefiningcaregivingbook/?hl=en

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm

    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving

    8 min
  • #27 Telehealth - What is it and is it covered?

    There is an amazing tool that caregivers can use for appointments called Telehealth. It's for everyone, and 50 states in the U.S. cover appointments through this video platform for healthcare providers and their patients. 

    Remember to include yourself in the care you give! 

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/ FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redefiningcaregivingbook/?hl=en

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm

    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving

    8 min
  • You Get to Do this - Select empowering words

    The power of words is underestimated in society. We know the power that is behind them, yet we throw them around like we have no clue of their impact.

    Today, I remind you of a specific set of words that create feelings of empowerment and control in our lives. I hope you become more mindful of the words you choose, so you take power back in your lives. This is a great things to share with your kids to give them a wonderful habit for success. 

    Remember to include yourself in the care you give by choosing words that support and empower yourself. 

    Always caring, Sam

    Any donation is appreciated. It's a form of self-care for myself that I ask. It supports me, as I spend time making daily podcasts and provide resources for beautiful people like you. Thank you for considering and sharing.

    Write me at [email protected]

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/

    FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redefiningcaregivingbook/?hl=en

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm

    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving

    7 min
  • Organize - Save minutes for yourself
    Staying organized sound time consuming, but it can be simple. Start with one things like a small filing system or making a box for bill paying. At the first of each month, it's bill-time for most and sometimes we can't use autopayment, which is always my first option for easy bill-pay. There are advantages to paying your own bills and auto-pay, but either way, you need an easy file system. 
    All you need is what I talk about today. The little moments you spend looking for a pen, stamps, envelopes and information in order to pay bills adds up to precious minutes for you to hoard for yourself. I feel like minutes saved are like pennies saved. Over time, they add up, so gather all the minutes you can by staying organized. 
    Remember to include yourself in the care you give by saving yourself time for what you enjoy doing. 
    Thanks for listening and sharing!
    Always Caring, Sam
    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving
    Redefining Caregiving Website: https://samdamm.com/
    FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redefiningcaregivingbook/?hl=en
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm
    6 min
  • Know Your Rights - Use your voice to protect your loved ones.
    Here are links related to todays podcast.
    State Medical Board - https://www.fsmb.org/
    Medicare - https://www.medicare.gov/
    JCAHO (Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Care Organizations)- https://www.jointcommission.org/
    Long-Term Care Ombudsman - https://www.oltco.org/
    Remember, you are the only person who can speak up for your loved one sometimes. I know it's intimidating to speak with authority for your loved ones when it comes to certain situations, but if you stay calm and voice your concerns, it should help. Your loved ones have the rights for adequate care, especially when dealing with pain or dying. If you are educated about your rights, you can save you and your family a lot of heartache later, if you ever face a situation where you don't receive care you deserve.
    There are places you can turn to if you have already experienced such an event to voice your complaint. If you feel it's not worth you time, you might want to consider it could help the next person who comes along. They say that one person speaking up stands for 100 people who won't. 
    As caregivers we have the responsibility to put our loved ones care ahead of how we feel about standing up for them. If you don't feel you can speak up to protect them, please reach out to a family or friend who feels comfortable talking to a doctor or nurse about the care they receive. Sometimes delegating is the best option. 
    Remember to include yourself in the care you give, by speaking up for your rights and avoiding regret and pain in the future. 
    Thanks for listening and share if you care!
    Always Caring, Samantha
    Visit Redefining Caregiving at 
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    https://samdamm.com/
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    8 min
  • Self Talk - Lift yourself up.

    The power of words is so overlooked. In this episode I remind you of how important it is to be aware of every word you use, as well as the ones you thing. Instead of listening to our minds chatter about things untrue, we need to teach it to play a new message. You can do that by repeating specific things to yourself, listen to positive music that tells you what you need to hear to thrive. I'm not talking about songs that sound upbeat, but the message behind them doesn't support you. Songs about feeling broken hearted and how you want to get even with someone are not good for you to hear, especially if you already struggle with feeling positive. 

    You are the best person to tell yourself what you want to hear, because you know yourself and what you want. How do you want to feel everyday? Write that down and read it off an on throughout the day. 

    I tell myself things like,

    "You are capable of doing this!"

    "I believe in you. I always have."

    "Let's do this together." 

    "You don't need to do it perfectly. Just make progress."

    I even write them on my mirror with a wipe off marker. I change it after about 2 months, because it takes about that long for our brains to actually believe it.  

    You can become more empowered by your own words. Over time, you mind will have a whole new empowering way of thinking. You are worth the investment. 

    Remember to include yourself in the care you give by telling yourself you are everyday!

    Always Caring, Sam

    Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/redefiningcaregiving

    Redefining Caregiving Website :https://samdamm.com/

    FB-Redefining Caregiving: https://www.facebook.com/redefiningcaregiving

    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/redefiningcaregivingbook/?hl=en

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sammijodamm


    7 min

About Redefining Caregiving

From the publisher's feed

Caregivers require consistent encouragement and backing. Drawing from over 30 years as a caregiver, I share my personal insights and effective strategies I've learned firsthand to help you exist and…