Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate Podcast: Dr. Cynthia Speaks!

Caregivers, Multi-Tasking and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) 

Caregivers are jugging an array of activities and duties. They cover the gamut of areas, like work, schools, children, and home obligations while caring for a loved one. Lord knows; I did it for many years. Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) provides employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave.

Please take advantage of your right to use FMLA if needed. You should not have to choose between holding a job and the care of someone you love!  Visit the website: U.S. Department of Labor for more information.

I was listening to a podcast yesterday and heard the term ‘Elder Orphans.’ Have you heard the term before? I had not, but it aroused my interest as a life-long learner. So, what are Elder Orphans? Listen in!

If you consider yourself an “Elder Orphan” now is the time, today is the day to begin putting a plan in place.

Caregivers and Caregiving on My Mind - this Inauguration Day!  What 'say' we to the New Administration on caregivers' needs and the art of caregiving. I will continue to ask for visual outcomes and continual conversations.  We have made progress, most noticed with AARP's presence for senior information and support. There are also a host of caregiving platforms; all aligned with the same mission; to seek help for our aging population and their families.

As the population ages, it is essential to understand the obligation of caregivers and the care recipients. Whatever we can do to help with the variety of tasks caregivers do or care recipients need, our elected leaders can contribute by using their pens and paper to help lessen the societal impact from the lack of preparations and resources to those of us that embrace the world of caregiving. Remember, "we have not because we ask not." If you ask and if I ask, what a bright world caregiving will be. Can I count on your voice?

Happy Luther King, Jr. Day!

Caregivers: Here is a Quote Martin Luther King, Jr., Left Us to Ponder:

Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t’ have to make your subject and verb agree to serve ... You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

As caregivers, the role often gets crowded by the many tasks associated. Indeed, it is the role of service. At times, it does feel like you are a servant to the numerous tasks that are essential. I ask you…is there anything wrong with being a servant? 

Be an agent of change; make a difference generated by love, be a servant!

As we age, our vision ages with us. Make no mistake about it! We know our vision is a huge part of our movements. Frankly, our vision owns us and if you do not believe me, ask someone who has diminished vision or has lost their vision entirely. Vision health is important!

Make regular vision examinations a part of your caregiving role. Vision health is just as important as other health needs.

As we get older, so does our skin. The skin, also called the epidermis, is the outermost layer of the body. We think in detail about our skin when we are young and self-sufficient. However, as a caregiver and responsible for others' care, we must think about detailed skin care practices in the elderly. As a caregiver, your role is to pay attention to the skin of your loved one. Start at the head and finish under the bottom of the feet. No matter your situation, skincare is a part of the caregiving journey. 

Pay Attention.

It has taken me a few days to collect myself. For sure, being silent was NOT an option! As with many of you, the 6th of January 2021 will forever be in our minds and memory. While more critical issues are facing us, we witnessed an event that left me, saying, “God heal our land.” What else can one say? I am your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, and my platform is to a voice and resource for the caregiving community — those who may tackle the role of caregiver and needing guidance in the caregiving space.

The word CAREGIVING is recognized as an action role, meaning that helping someone (elderly, children, ill persons) is the primary function. The individual(s), often a part of a family’s network assists with helping loved ones navigate their personal world. What words can we put in our spirit to embrace serving others? Listen to hear more.

One of the essential tasks in the world of proactive caregiving is health awareness. Have you taken dental health seriously? Before a problem or situation arises, open and say Ahh.  That’s right look around the food reservoir cavity. Dentist health is as important as physical health.  So, as we look at ways to be proactive, let your mission consider dental health.

Caregivers: Let the Year 2021 be the year of asking for help!

Many feel, including me, that being a caregiver is a lonely role. It does feel like it sometimes, but the reality is, we are never alone. 

Let the year 2021 be the year of asking for help.

Happy New Year!