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Practical Tips for Caregivers & Patient Advocates
Episodes 10 and 11 contain a chock full of practical tips! I’m thrilled to be joined by Laurette Foggini, as she draws on her extensive experience on the administrative side of caregiving and patient advocacy, combined with her subsequent (and current) journey with her mom. Part 1 explores topics such as developing care plans, caregiving from a distance, transitioning to being physically present, importance of the Power of Attorney (why, and when it’s not enough), and more! Part 2 explores topics such as addressing sibling responsibilities, effects of prognosis and changes to it, travel for self-care, decisions about home care and hospice, acceptance and adapting, sons stepping into these care roles, senior fitness and more! We hope you find this conversation interesting and informative! That…
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Self-Care for Caregivers: The Power of Reiki
In this 25-minute episode of Caregiving Insights, I chat with Sovan Purkait. We explore what led to his first Reiki experience, believing in its healing effects, and subsequently co-founding The Rainbow Miracle with his partner. The first half of the episode explores Sovan’s journey and “what is Reiki”, then we delve into the benefits to caregivers and other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, etc. Based in India and the largest virtual Reiki practice in that country, this endeavor aims to help people around the world — virtually. I’m grateful to Sovan for his time and insights, and hope you find this conversation interesting and informative! ———————————— Todd “TJ” Keitz has been primary caregiver/patient advocate since June 2018 for his two parents, who each are faced…
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Time: Flies By In The Blink Of A Hospital Stay
I’m sorry it’s been quite a while since my last 1 Day 1 Week article. There are various reasons. One is that I was focusing on the Caregiving Insights podcast and have posted four episodes. With otherwise limited time, I simply couldn’t find the hours to write/edit/proof/post/promote an article. Also, the holidays and traveling/getting away from caregiving a week ago for the first time since November 2019 was a factor. Upon landing back in Florida on Monday, I received a text from my mom telling me that my dad was being taken to the ER because of chest pain. Welcome home! The Cliff’s Notes version – he had atrial flutter and then atrial fibrillation, which led to a heart ablation procedure. It appears to have worked…
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Patient Advocacy & The Co-Creation Experience
A happy, healthy wish to everyone from 1 Day 1 Week! It’s been weeks since the last post, which was intentional considering folks were busy with the holidays and I took some overdue self-care. Now it’s time to gear up for a great 2022, bringing you many more podcasts and articles about caregiving and patient advocacy! As we step into the new year, our YouTube channel Caregiving Insights is off to a great start! I’m excited to have just posted Episode #4: Patient Advocacy & The Co-Creation Experience. In this episode, I have an insightful conversation with Dr. Valerie Williams-Sanchez. Valerie and I worked together 25 years ago for a company named Medical Data International and we’ve had extensive conversations over the years about patient…
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Healing Through The Arts (caregivers, hospitals, anyone!)
The healing referred to in this episode is about nourishing the soul. Patients and caregivers have their individual and intertwined journeys that are so often depleting. The arts are a beautiful gift to nourish oneself and those we care for. How is this accomplished? How can a hospital be involved? A family? Todd “TJ” Keitz, Creator/Chief Blogger of www.1day1week.com, explores these questions and much more with Joy Javits, Founder of DooR to DooR of UNC Healthcare in Chapel Hill. Since starting this organization 28 years ago, Joy has brought the arts to patients, caregivers, and staff in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to help the healing process. Joy’s background as a dancer and choreographer, as well as the daughter of the long-time respected U.S. Senator…
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Perspectives on Caregiving & Patient Advocacy: A Podcast
There are so many things to consider regarding caregiving and patient advocacy! Whether you are already in one or both of these roles, or you may be in the future (to whatever extent), this episode provides important insight. This is Episode #2 on our new YouTube channel, Caregiving Insights. I explore these topics from various angles with Cori Kasten, Founder/CEO of Platinum Select Nursing in South Florida. For the past 14 years, Cori has built a successful business born out of genuine caring for her clients and passion for doing things the right way, all starting with one client who believed in her ability to change the world. In the first half of this episode, we discuss topics such as in-home care, healthcare technology, and…
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Thanksgiving: Heartfelt Messages For Caregivers & The Cared For
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I’m sorry for the delay posting a new entry on 1 Day 1 Week. One reason was because I focused on launching our new podcast series, Caregiving Insights. The first episode that went up on November 8th is with Pat Samples, an awesome author and thought leader on various topics, including caregivers finding peace of mind along their journeys. I’ve also recorded an additional four episodes, with one to be posted on our Podcast page and new YouTube channel every other week through the end of the year. Another part of the delay has been life – it’s been a heavy two weeks. Not so much from the physical caregiving perspective, although that’s coming again. More so from a healthcare standpoint. We…
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Music: Uplifting Caregivers & Patient Advocates, One Song At A Time
Hi everyone! Well, I had planned on writing my usual weekly blog post of 1,500 to 3,000 words. But, as caregivers/patient advocates know, what’s planned for a week often takes on a life of its own and free time becomes fleeting. This past week was one of those for me. While this post is shorter than usual, I hope it’s just as enjoyable, informative, and thought-provoking. Since last Sunday’s post about burnout, it’s been seven days of up, down, and all around…many times. On the caregiving/patient advocating for my parents side of life, there were doctor appointments to schedule (both future and urgent), transportation to appointments, lab work to be reviewed, medication to pick up, special new dietary restrictions to consider, preparing meals, research about…
